Nutrient Intake, Nutrition Status and Hemoglobin Concentration of Lacto-ovo-vegetarians and Non-vegetarians

Abstract

In order to give more information about food intake level, nutrition status and hemoglobin concentration of lacto-ovo-vegetarians and in turn increasing human life quality especially vegetarians, a study was conducted in vihara Duta Mas Maitreya Jakarta with 30 samples of lacto-ovo-vegetarians and 30 samples of non-vegetarians.

Energy and protein intake is not significantly different between non-vegetarians and lacto-ovo-vegetarians. But apparently there is a tendency that energy and protein intake of non-vegetarians (1826 kcal and 51.16 g) are higher than of lacto-ovo-vegetarians (1810 kcal and 42.54 g). On the contrary Fe and vitamin C of non-vegetarian (12.63 mg and 81.00 mg) are lower than lacto-ovo-vegetarians (12.84 mg and 139.93 mg). Statistically vitamin C consumption level are different between groups of respondents (p<0.05) but they are not different for energy, protein, Fe consumption, Body Mass Index and hemoglobin concentration. There is no correlation between BMI and energy and protein consumption level (p<0.05). Lacto-ovo-vegetarians (70%) have better category in nutrition status and healthiness (based on BMI) compared with non-vegetarians (56.7%).

Statistically hemoglobin concentration in blood are not different between lacto-ovo-vegetarians and non-vegetarians. But apparently there¡¦s a tendency that hemoglobin concentration of lacto-ovo-vegetarians (15.7 g%) are higher than non-vegetarians (14.8 g%). Hemoglobin concentration has correlations to Fe and protein intake otherwise vitamin C intake has no such correlation (p<0.05). Lacto-ovo-vegetarians (96.7%) have better nutrition status (based on hemoglobin concentration) compered to non-vegetarians (93.3%).