Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
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Focus Alternat Complement Ther©2005 Pharmaceutical Press
Focus Altern Complement Ther 2005; 10: 33
To evaluate changes in levels of quality of life, anxiety and stress among guests at a raw vegan institute in the USA.
Guests at the institute typically stay 1–3 weeks, follow a raw vegan diet and participate in nutrition and other lifestyle educational programmes. On arrival at the institute, all English-speaking guests were invited to participate. Participants completed questionnaires assessing overall quality of life (SF-36), dietary quality of life (Quality of Life Related to Dietary Change), perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) upon arrival and 12 weeks later.
Of 107 eligible guests, 84 agreed to participate. Their mean age was 54 years (range 23–86); 27% were male, 40% married, 87% white and 60% with an income > $75 000. Among 51 participants who completed the follow-up, overall quality of life improved in 7.5% (P = 0.001), anxiety decreased in 5.1% (P = 0.009) and perceived stress decreased in 6.8% (P < 0.001). Taste, convenience and cost of food did not change significantly. At 12 weeks, 27% remained ≥ 80% adherent to the diet. Adherence was associated with health status, education and confidence in ability to adhere. The most common barriers to adherence were difficulties with food preparation and lack of social support.
Clinical trials are needed to assess the health effects of a raw vegan diet. These findings highlight the importance of strategies to facilitate adherence to the diet in such a trial.
This study was funded by an R-25 grant from the National Cancer Institute.
