Vegetarian diets in Spain: Temporal evolution through national health surveys and their association with healthy lifestyles

Objective: To assess the prevalent consumption trend between 2001 and 2017 and the healthy lifestyles associated with consuming a plant-based diet in the Spanish population. Methodology: A representative Spanish sample was analysed (>15 years old) from the Spanish National Health Survey for years 2001 (n = 8568), 2006 (n = 25,649), 2011 (n = 19,027) and 2017 (n = 21,986). The population was classified as omnivore, vegetarian, or vegan. The lifestyle variables were physical activity, tobacco and alcohol consumption, and body mass index (BMI). The similar to 2 test was used to evaluate diet change between 2001 and 2017. T-Student and similar to 2 were used to compare lifestyles of omnivores and vegetarians/vegans. Logistic regression was used to analyse lifestyles associated with plant-based diets. Results: 0.2% of the Spanish population followed a plant-based diet. Between plant-based diet consumers there was an increase in vegans vs. vegetarians between 2001 (9.5% vs. 90.5%) and 2017 (65.3% vs. 34.7%) (p = 0.007). Compared to 2001, following a plant-based diet was more likely in 2006 (OR = 2.08, p = 0.004), 2011 (OR = 1.89, p = 0.02) and 2017 (OR = 1.75, p = 0.04). Those who consume alcohol (OR = 0.65, p = 0.008), who were overweight (OR = 0.48, p < 0.001) or who were obese (OR = 0.40, p = 0.001) were less likely to consume a plant-based diet. Conclusions: Despite an increase in the consumption of plant-based diets between 2001 and 2017, there was a low prevalence of consumption in all years studied. There was a greater probability of consuming plant-based diets among the Spanish population with healthy behaviours. These findings could help design strategies focused on healthy nutritional behaviours. (c) 2022 SEEN y SED. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.