A research conducted at the University of Leeds shows that vegetarians bear a 50% increased risk of hip fractures compared to individuals who eat meat. The study analyzed data from over 400,000 participants and found this risk to be equally prevalent in both genders.
A comprehensive study has recently reported that vegetarians face a 50% elevated risk of hip fractures when compared to regular meat consumers, irrespective of their sex. Although potential causes might include a low BMI and lack of adequate protein, the potential health advantages of a vegetarian diet might still surpass these risks.
Both male and female vegetarians have been found to have a 50% higher chance of experiencing a hip fracture than those who regularly consume meat, as demonstrated by the latest large-scale research study.
Before this research, it was acknowledged that vegetarian women faced a higher risk of hip fractures, however, the precise reasons remained uncertain. Moreover, prior studies that explored the effect of vegetarianism on men’s fracture risk were limited and resulted in inconclusive outcomes.
Study Overview
The recent study, undertaken by researchers at the University of Leeds, evaluated data from 413,914 participants, both men and women. This is the first research to suggest that, much like women, vegetarian men also have a higher risk of hip fracture than regular meat consumers. The study also endeavored to identify factors contributing to this amplified risk among vegetarians of both sexes.
Participants for the study were recruited between 2006 and 2010 as part of the UK Biobank project, and provided information about their dietary habits. They were classified based on their meat consumption habits as regular meat eaters (consuming meat five or more times a week), occasional meat eaters (eating meat fewer than five times a week), pescatarians (consuming fish but no meat), or vegetarians (consuming dairy products but not fish or meat).
Subsequently, the participants’ data was connected to their hospital records to track cases of hip fractures up until 2021.
The study findings were published in the scholarly journal BMC Medicine with the title “Risk of hip fracture in meat-eaters, pescatarians, and vegetarians: a prospective cohort study of 413,914 UK Biobank participants.”
Study Findings
Out of the 413,914 participants, 3503 cases of hip fractures were recorded, reflecting an overall incidence rate of less than one percent (0.8%).
While the overall risk of suffering a hip fracture was low, the relative risk for vegetarians compared to regular meat eaters was significant. The researchers found:
Vegetarians bore a 50% higher risk than regular meat eaters, irrespective of gender.
There was no risk difference between occasional and regular meat eaters.
Pescatarians showed a marginally higher risk (8%) than regular meat eaters, but this difference was not statistically significant.
Relative Risks and Real-World Cases
The researchers calculated the potential real-world implications of these relative risk differences.
They estimated that, on average, 6.5 regular meat eaters and 6.5 occasional meat eaters would encounter a hip fracture, while there would be 7 cases among pescatarians and 9.5 cases among vegetarians.
James Webster, the study lead and a doctoral researcher in the School of Food Science and Nutrition, stated, “Hip fractures, which are increasingly prevalent in an aging society, can lead to severe health complications and a reduction in quality of life.
“This study indicates that while vegetarians have a 50% higher risk of hip fracture than meat eaters, this translates to just 3 additional hip fractures per 1000 people over 10 years. The health benefits of a vegetarian diet, including a reduced risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease, may still outbalance any increases in hip fracture risk.”
Potential Causes and Recommendations
Webster added, “Our analysis proposes that low BMI may be a crucial factor for the increased risk. Additionally, vegetarians were about 17% less likely to meet protein recommendations than meat eaters. Therefore, key takeaways from our study are that vegetarians need to ensure they are maintaining a balanced diet with sufficient protein and keeping a healthy BMI. This will help vegetarians to uphold healthy bones and muscles.”
Professor Janet Cade, who heads the Nutritional Epidemiology Group at the University of Leeds and supervised the study, said, “Hip fracture is a major health issue, and diet might play a role in affecting risk. This research, using the extensive UK Biobank, corroborates our prior work, demonstrating that a vegetarian diet raises the risk of hip fracture compared to regular meat eaters, in both men and women. While vegetarian diets have health benefits, understanding diet quality and the balance of essential nutrients can help reduce risk and enhance future bone health.”
The NHS spends between £2 – 3 billion annually on hip fractures.
Reference: “Risk of hip fracture in meat-eaters, pescatarians, and vegetarians: a prospective cohort study of 413,914 UK Biobank participants” by James Webster, Darren C. Greenwood, and Janet E. Cade, 27 July 2023, BMC Medicine.
DOI: 10.1186/s12916-023-02993-6
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Vegetarian Hip Fracture Risk
What is the main finding of the study conducted by the University of Leeds?
The main finding of the study is that vegetarians have a 50% increased risk of hip fractures compared to individuals who regularly consume meat. This risk is present in both men and women.
How many participants were involved in this study?
The study involved 413,914 participants, both men and women, recruited between 2006 and 2010 as part of the UK Biobank project.
What were the categories of the study participants based on their diet?
Participants were categorized as regular meat eaters (consuming meat five or more times a week), occasional meat eaters (consuming meat fewer than five times a week), pescatarians (consuming fish but not meat), or vegetarians (consuming dairy foods but not fish or meat).
What is the relative risk of hip fractures for vegetarians compared to regular meat eaters?
The study found that vegetarians had a 50% greater risk of hip fractures than regular meat eaters, regardless of gender.
What is the potential cause of the increased risk of hip fractures in vegetarians?
The study suggests that a low Body Mass Index (BMI) and insufficient protein intake could be potential causes for the increased risk of hip fractures in vegetarians.
How does the risk of hip fractures in vegetarians translate to real-world cases?
The researchers estimated that, on average, there would be 9.5 hip fracture cases among vegetarians compared to 6.5 cases among regular and occasional meat eaters.
Does the study suggest that vegetarianism is bad for one’s health?
The study does not suggest that vegetarianism is inherently bad for one’s health. It highlights an increased risk of hip fractures in vegetarians but also states that the overall health benefits of a vegetarian diet, including a lower risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease, may still outweigh this risk. Vegetarians are advised to ensure they are maintaining a balanced diet with sufficient protein and a healthy BMI.
5 comments
That’s surprising, always thot a vegetarian lifestyle was pretty healthy. Anyway, its a wake-up call for those who don’t care about their bone health!
Well, I’ve been a veggie for years and never had any bone issues. Its about balance people, you can’t just give up meat and expect everything to be ok, you gotta replace it with the right nutrients!
Im a regular meat-eater and this study feels like a win, but I understand its not that simple. still, balance in diet is key i guess.
This is why its important to do your research before choosing a diet. just because its vegetarian doesn’t mean its automatically healthier, people!
Whoa, didn’t expect this! always thot vegetarians were like super healthy or somethin’. good to know the full picture, gotta look out for our bones too!