The prevalence of vegetarians, vegans and other dietary patterns that exclude some animal-source foods in a representative sample of New Zealand adults

Objective:This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of vegetarians, vegans and other dietary patterns that exclude some animal-source foods in New Zealand adults. We also examined socio-demographic and lifestyle correlates of these dietary patterns.Design:The New Zealand Health Survey is a representative rolling cross-sectional survey of New Zealanders; data from the 2018/19 and 2019/20 waves were used for this analysis. Participants were asked if they completely excluded red meat, poultry, fish/shellfish, eggs or dairy products from their diet.Setting:New Zealand.Participants:Adults, aged >= 15 years (n 23 292).Results:The prevalence of red-meat excluders (2 center dot 89 %), pescatarians (1 center dot 40 %), vegetarians (2 center dot 04 %) and vegans (0 center dot 74 %) was low. After adjustment for socio-demographic and lifestyle factors, women (OR = 1 center dot 54, 95 % CI: 1 center dot 22, 1 center dot 95), Asian people (OR = 2 center dot 56, 95 % CI: 1 center dot 96, 4 center dot 45), people with tertiary education (OR = 1 center dot 71, 95 % CI: 1 center dot 18, 2 center dot 48) and physically active people (OR = 1 center dot 36, 95 % CI: 1 center dot 04, 1 center dot 76) were more likely to be vegetarian/vegan. Those aged >= 75 years (OR = 0 center dot 28, 95 % CI: 0 center dot 14, 0 center dot 53) and current smokers (OR = 0 center dot 42, 95 % CI: 0 center dot 23, 0 center dot 76) were less likely to be vegetarian/vegan. Similar associations were seen between socio-demographic and lifestyle factors and the odds of being a red-meat excluder/pescatarian.Conclusions:Approximately 93 % of New Zealand adults eat red meat and a very small number exclude all animal products from their diets. The Eating and Activity Guidelines for New Zealand adults recommend a plant-based diet with moderate amounts of animal-source foods. A comprehensive national nutrition survey would provide detailed information on the amount of red meat and other animal-source foods that the New Zealand population currently consumes.