El texto completo de este trabajo no está disponible en el Repositorio Académico UPC por restricciones de la casa editorial donde ha sido publicado. / Studies assessing the association between vegetarianism and mental health have found divergent results. Evidence from adolescents in developing countries is scarce. To evaluate the association between a vegetarian diet and emotional symptoms in 15-year-old adolescents from Ethiopia, India, Peru and Vietnam. A cross-sectional, secondary analysis of the Young Lives cohort study was used. The exposure variable was the self-report of being a vegetarian (yes or no). The outcome was the level of emotional symptoms, numerically evaluated using the score obtained in the subscale "Emotional Symptoms" of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). We calculated crude and adjusted coefficients (β) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), using generalized linear models of the Gaussian family, considering each sentinel site as a cluster. The analysis was stratified by country. Additionally, we made a global analysis including the four countries. A total of 3484 adolescents were analyzed. The overall prevalence of vegetarianism was 4.4%, but it varied between countries (from 0.4% in Vietnam to 11.5% in India). The average emotional symptoms score was 3.5 [standard deviation (SD) 2.3] points. The scores were not statistically different between vegetarians and non-vegetarians (p > 0.05). In the adjusted analysis, in Vietnam, vegetarians had lower emotional symptoms scores on average than non-vegetarians [β: -1.79; 95% CI: -3.05 to -0.55]. No differences were found neither in the other countries nor in the overall sample. There was no association between a vegetarian diet and emotional symptoms in the analyzed adolescents of four developing countries. / Revisión por pares

Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-22T20:49:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-04-28 / OBJETIVO: Avaliar, comparativamente, o estado nutricional de ferro de indivíduos vegetarianos e não vegetarianos, por meio de exames laboratoriais. MÉTODOS: Cinqüenta e nove indivíduos com idades entre 20 e 50 anos reuniram critérios de inclusão, consentiram em participar do estudo, sendo todas do sexo feminino. Série vermelha, ferritina sérica, transferrina e quantificação do consumo alimentar de ferro e vitamina C, foram análises realizadas para determinar o estado nutricional de ferro dos participantes. RESULTADOS: Verificou-se valor energético total (VET) ingerido semelhante nos dois grupos, o mesmo ocorrendo para o consumo de ferro, e valores da ferritina e transferrina sérica, além da série vermelha dos participantes. Em relação ao consumo de vitamina C, apresentaram-se níveis maiores para o grupo dos sem carne (SC). CONCLUSÕES: Dietas vegetarianas balanceadas não oferecem risco ao estado nutricional de ferro do indivíduo e, podem ser atendidas tanto qualitativa, como quantitativamente, desde que planejadas e acompanhadas por profissional especializado, já que este assunto é, ainda para muitos, desconhecido quanto a conduta com o paciente. / TEDE / BV UNIFESP: Teses e dissertações

Det uppskattas att 15 % av utsläppen av växthusgaser kommer frånanimalieproduktion och ett effektivt sätt för att uppnå klimatmålen är att ändra och minska vårkonsumtion av kött- och mejeriprodukter. Den vegetariska kosten har blivit allt mer populärbland dagens ungdomar och många ungdomar väljer bort köttet, det finns dock fortfarande ettmotstånd bland en del ungdomar till att äta mer vegetariskt. Denna kvalitativa studie syftar tillatt undersöka ungdomars syn på vegetarianer och vegetarianism. Data samlades in genomsemistrukturerade intervjuer med tolv ungdomar. Materialet analyserades med induktivtematisk analys som genererade i fyra huvudteman Engagemang för djur och natur,Vegetarianismens två sidor, Normbrytande eller ej, Vegetarianer är feminina och enkärnkategori: I gränslandet. Studiens resultat visar att ungdomar har en mångfacetterad ochambivalent syn där både positiva och negativa aspekter gällande vegetarianer ochvegetarianism lyfts. Då tidigare forskning främst funnit att det finns en negativ syn påvegetarianer och vegetarianism och då resultatet av denna studie visar på en mångfacetteradoch ambivalent syn hos samtliga ungdomar, kan detta tyda på att synen på vegetarianer ochvegetarianism är i förändring. Denna studie bidrar till att öka kunskapen gällande synen påvegetarianer och vegetarianism. / It is estimated that 15 % of greenhouse gas emissions come from animal productionand an effective way to achieve the climate goals is to change and reduce our consumption ofmeat and dairy products. The vegetarian diet has increased in popularity among adolescentsand many adolescents are opting out of the meat, however, there is still resistance amongsome adolescents to eat more vegetarian food. This qualitative study aims to investigateadolescents view of vegetarians and vegetarianism. Data was collected through semistructuredinterviews with twelve adolescents. The data was analyzed with inductive thematicanalysis which generated four main themes: Dedication To Animals and Nature, Two Sides ofVegetarianism, Norm-Breaking or Not, Vegetarians are Feminine and a core category: On theBorder Country. The results of the study indicate that adolescents have a multifaceted andambivalent view where both positive and negative aspects regarding vegetarians andvegetarianism are raised. As previous research has primarily found a negative view onvegetarians and vegetarianism and since the multifaceted and ambivalent view that waspresent in this study was found among all adolescents, this may indicate that the view onvegetarians and vegetarianism is changing. The present study helps to increase the knowledgeabout the view on vegetarians and vegetarianism.

This study intended to examine Swedish upper secondary school students' argumentation related to the socioscientific issues about sustainable consumption and production, where the students take a position more specifically about a vegetarian diet. Examining sustainable development as an SSI becomes natural here as it is a constantly emerging feature in both the media but also within the school where it is used to give students a developing knowledge to be able to make informed decisions for future problems. This gave the idea to sustainable consumption and production which is one of the sub-goals (goal 12) of the UN goals for sustainable development which can be linked to the question of whether expanding vegetarian diets in schools would be better for sustainable development. In order to understand students' informal argumentation, the choice is to use the SEE-SEP model, which was used as a tool that gives the possibility to categorize arguments and gain an understanding of which grounds the arguments were based upon. The study will also examine the students' development of arguments during the course of the study to examine if there are changes to the argumentations during the study. The results show that students chose to mainly use environment/ecology and science-based arguments during the course of the study. An overview of the arguments shows that the students choose to use the knowledge aspect as their main support when it comes to the design of the arguments. The process of the study shows that there are changes in the design of the arguments and which categories are chosen to build the arguments.

Orientador: Valéria Cristina Sandrim / Resumo: Evidências apontam que a dieta vegetariana diminui a probabilidade de desenvolver doenças cardiovasculares (DCVs). Um dos principais mecanismos que levam às doenças cardiovasculares é a disfunção do endotélio, associada com a diminuição da biodisponibilidade de óxido nítrico (NO) e a produção excessiva de espécies reativas de oxigênio (ROS). Do ponto de vista de biomarcadores de estresse oxidativo/antioxidante e de envelhecimento biológico, enzimas com propriedades antioxidantes e o comprimento do telômero podem apresentar efeitos na modulação do sistema vascular. O presente estudo inclui dois manuscritos, sendo o primeiro relacionado a via de regulação NRF2/HO-1 e o segundo ao comprimento dos telômero em onívoros (ONI) e vegetarianos (VEG). No primeiro manuscrito, o objetivo foi verificar a concentração de HO-1 circulante, bem como investigar o efeito da incubação do plasma de ONI e VEG em células endoteliais sob a modulação da via NRF2/HO-1 e a produção de NO. Dos 745 indivíduos inicialmente recrutados, 44 ONI e 44 VEG do sexo masculino aparentemente saudáveis foram incluídos no estudo. A concentração de HO-1 circulante foi mensurado usando o ensaio de ELISA. As células endoteliais foram incubadas com amostras de plasma de ONI e VEG. Nós observamos que a concentração de HO-1 circulante foi maior nos ONI em relação aos VEG. A incubação das células endoteliais com o plasma de ONI induziu o aumento da expressão gênica/proteica do NRF2 e HO-1, bem como a atividade do ARE e a pr... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Several studies report that a vegetarian diet lowers the probability of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The endothelial dysfunction is one of the main mechanism that leads to CVDs, associated with decreased nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Regarding oxidative/antioxidant stress and biological aging biomarkers, enzymes with antioxidant properties and telomere length may have effects on vascular system modulation. The present study includes two manuscripts related to: 1) regulation of NRF2/HO-1 pathway and 2) telomere length in omnivorous (OMN) and vegetarians (VEG). In the first manuscript, our objectives were to verify circulating HO-1 levels and the effect of plasma incubation from omnivorous and vegetarians in endothelial cells on modulating of NRF2/HO-1 pathway and NO production. From 745 participants initially recruited, 44 omnivorous and 44 vegetarian men apparently healthy were included in this study and circulating HO-1 was measured using ELISA assay. Endothelial cells were incubated plasma samples from OMN and VEG. We found higher circulating HO-1 production in omnivorous compared to vegetarian. Moreover, the plasma collected from omnivorous was able to increase the gene/protein NRF2/HO-1 expression, ARE activity, and NO production in endothelial cells culture compared to vegetarian group. We suggest that HO-1 induction in omnivorous may indicate a pro-oxidative. Activation of the HO-1 / NRF2 pathw... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Thesis (Masters) -- The College of Saint Elizabeth, 2010. / Typescript. Available at The College of Saint Elizabeth - Office of Graduate Programs. "March 2010"

Introdução - Os efeitos na saúde de dietas vegetarianas (DV) apontam principalmente para a diminuição do risco de Doenças Crônicas Não Transmissíveis (DCNT), uma vez que modula positivamente parâmetros bioquímicos, particularmente aqueles relacionados ao controle da glicemia e lipemia, além de ser uma medida para o controle de peso. Estudos recentes em adultos demonstram que a dieta possa também modular parâmetros moleculares. Nesse cenário, atenta-se para o papel do Fator Neurotrófico Derivado do Encéfalo (BDNF) o qual parece estar relacionado com a DV em relação à redução de triglicerídeos e colesterol e aumento da sensibilidade à insulina. Objetivo - Avaliar adultos que adotaram uma DV, em relação ao estado nutricional, aos parâmetros bioquímicos e moleculares comparados aos adultos com dieta onívora. Métodos - A população avaliada foi constituída por 96 indivíduos, 56 vegetarianos e 40 onívoros, adultos e de ambos os sexos, em um estudo do tipo transversal. Para o levantamento dos dados sociodemográficos e de estilo de vida foi aplicado questionário e aferidas às medidas de peso corporal (PC) e altura, para posterior cálculo de Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC) e circunferência de cintura (CC). Foi realizada também coleta de sangue para estudos bioquímicos e expressão de BDNF plasmático. Os índices de Castelli 1 e 2 (razões lipídicas) são indicadores de risco cardiovascular (RCV) com maior valor preditivo do que parâmetros isolados, por isso, também foram calculados. A resistência à insulina (IR) foi avaliada pelo índice HOMA_IR. As análises foram conduzidas pelo software SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) versão 20.0 e para todas foi considerado um nível de significância de 5 por cento .Foi realizada análise de regressão logística para identificar se a DV e outros fatores podem prever a redução da chance de ter RCV, determinado pelos índices de Castelli 1 e 2.Resultados Em relação às variáveis de estilo de vida, os VEG têm uma tendência a praticar mais atividade física (64,3 por cento vs 42,5 por cento , p = 0,056) e ingerir suplementos alimentares (48,1 por cento vs 20,5 por cento , p = 0,012), embora o número de fumantes se apresente semelhante em ambos os grupos. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante para as variáveis: idade, sexo, prática de fumar, triglicerídeos (TG), Colesterol Total (CT) e lipoproteína de baixa densidade (LDL- c) entre os dois grupos. Já os valores dos índices de Castelli 1 (3,23 ± 0,84 vs 3,90 ± 0,99, p =0,001)e 2 (1,91 ± 0,69 vs 2,42 ± 0,79, p = 0,001) foram menores em vegetarianos (VEG) do que em onívoros (ONV). O grupo VEG tinha significativamente menor PC (63,9 ± 10,4 vs 69,4 ± 14,6 kg, p = 0,032); IMC (22,5 ± 2,6 vs 25,0 ± 3,9 kg/m2, p = 0,001); CC( 81,8 ± 8,2 vs 87,8 ± 10,9 cm, p = 0,003 ) e maior lipoproteína de alta densidade (HDL-c) (54,88 ± 14,44 vs 47,30 ± 12,27 mg / dl , p = 0,008) . Os VEG também apresentaram menor HOMA-IR (1,17 ± 0,70 vs 1,48 ± 0,8, p = 0,02) em comparação com ONV. Quanto a variável BDNF, não houve diferença entre os grupos VEG e ONV (662,8 + 276,5pg/ml vs 698,1 + 314,9 pg/ml, p=0,563). Conclusão - Sugere-se, portanto, que a DV pode ter efeitos protetores na saúde cardiovascular e no metabolismo desses indivíduos. / Introduction - The effects of vegetarian diets (VD) on health points out mainly to a decrease in the risk for noncomunnicable chronic disease (NCDs) once it positively modulates the biochemical parameters, particularly those related to the control of glicemic and lipemia being also a way of controlling weight. Recent studies have shown that diet can also modulate molecular parameters. In this scenario, one must pay attention to the role of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) which seems to be related to the VG in what regards the reduction of triacylglycerol and cholesterol, and the increase of insulin sensitivity. Objective - To assess adults that adopted a VD in what regards their nutritional status, biochemical and molecular parameters, in comparison to adults that adopted an omnivorous diet. Methods- A cross-sectional study assessed a population composed of 96 individuals, 56 vegetarians and 40 omnivores, adults of both genders. A questionnaire was administered in order to gather sociodemographic and life-style related data, body weight (BW), height and waist circumference (WC) were surveyed. In order to carry out the biochemical study and the expression of plasmatic BDNF, blood was collected. The Castelli indexes 1 and 2 (lipid ratios) are indicators of cardiovascular risk (CVR) with a higher predictive value than isolated parameters and therefore were calculated. Insulin resistance (IR) was calculated by the HOMA_IR index. The analyses were carried out through the SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) software, 20.0 version, taking into account a 5 per cent significance level. An analysis of logistic regression was done in order to identify if the VD and other factors are able to prevent the reduction of CVR, determined by the Castelli indexes 1 and 2. Results - There was no statistically significant difference between both groups regarding the following variables: age, gender, smoking habits, triglyceride (TG), Total Cholesterol (TC) low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL- col). On the other hand, the values of the Castelli indexes 1 (3,23 ± 0,84 vs 3,90 ± 0,99, p =0,001) and 2 (1,91 ± 0,69 vs 2,42 ± 0,79, p = 0,001) were lower in vegetarians (VEG) than in omnivores (OMV). The VEG-groups showed significant lower BW (63,9 ± 10,4 vs 69,4 ± 14,6 kg, p = 0,032); BMI (22,5 ± 2,6 vs 25,0 ± 3,9 kg/m2, p = 0,001); WC ( 81,8 ± 8,2 vs 87,8 ± 10,9 cm, p = 0,003 ) and more high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL col) (54,88 ± 14,44 vs 47,30 ± 12,27 mg / dl , p = 0,008). The VEG-group also presented lower HOMA-IR (1,17 ± 0,70 vs 1,48 ± 0,8, p = 0,02) in comparison to the OMV-group. Regarding life-style parameters, the individuals of the VEG-group displayed a tendency for practicing more physical activity (64,3 per cent vs 42,5 per cent , p = 0,056) and for ingesting food supplement (48,1 per cent vs 20,5 per cent , p = 0,012), although the number of smokers was quite similar between both groups. Regarding the BDNF variable, there was no difference between the VEG-group and the OMVGroup (662,8 + 276,5 pg/ml vs 698,1 + 314,9 pg/ml, p=0,563).Conclusion - In relation to these results it is to be suggested that a VD may exert protective effects on cardiovascular health and on the metabolism of the individuals that adopt it.

Introdução - Os efeitos na saúde de dietas vegetarianas (DV) apontam principalmente para a diminuição do risco de Doenças Crônicas Não Transmissíveis (DCNT), uma vez que modula positivamente parâmetros bioquímicos, particularmente aqueles relacionados ao controle da glicemia e lipemia, além de ser uma medida para o controle de peso. Estudos recentes em adultos demonstram que a dieta possa também modular parâmetros moleculares. Nesse cenário, atenta-se para o papel do Fator Neurotrófico Derivado do Encéfalo (BDNF) o qual parece estar relacionado com a DV em relação à redução de triglicerídeos e colesterol e aumento da sensibilidade à insulina. Objetivo - Avaliar adultos que adotaram uma DV, em relação ao estado nutricional, aos parâmetros bioquímicos e moleculares comparados aos adultos com dieta onívora. Métodos - A população avaliada foi constituída por 96 indivíduos, 56 vegetarianos e 40 onívoros, adultos e de ambos os sexos, em um estudo do tipo transversal. Para o levantamento dos dados sociodemográficos e de estilo de vida foi aplicado questionário e aferidas às medidas de peso corporal (PC) e altura, para posterior cálculo de Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC) e circunferência de cintura (CC). Foi realizada também coleta de sangue para estudos bioquímicos e expressão de BDNF plasmático. Os índices de Castelli 1 e 2 (razões lipídicas) são indicadores de risco cardiovascular (RCV) com maior valor preditivo do que parâmetros isolados, por isso, também foram calculados. A resistência à insulina (IR) foi avaliada pelo índice HOMA_IR. As análises foram conduzidas pelo software SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) versão 20.0 e para todas foi considerado um nível de significância de 5 por cento .Foi realizada análise de regressão logística para identificar se a DV e outros fatores podem prever a redução da chance de ter RCV, determinado pelos índices de Castelli 1 e 2.Resultados Em relação às variáveis de estilo de vida, os VEG têm uma tendência a praticar mais atividade física (64,3 por cento vs 42,5 por cento , p = 0,056) e ingerir suplementos alimentares (48,1 por cento vs 20,5 por cento , p = 0,012), embora o número de fumantes se apresente semelhante em ambos os grupos. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante para as variáveis: idade, sexo, prática de fumar, triglicerídeos (TG), Colesterol Total (CT) e lipoproteína de baixa densidade (LDL- c) entre os dois grupos. Já os valores dos índices de Castelli 1 (3,23 ± 0,84 vs 3,90 ± 0,99, p =0,001)e 2 (1,91 ± 0,69 vs 2,42 ± 0,79, p = 0,001) foram menores em vegetarianos (VEG) do que em onívoros (ONV). O grupo VEG tinha significativamente menor PC (63,9 ± 10,4 vs 69,4 ± 14,6 kg, p = 0,032); IMC (22,5 ± 2,6 vs 25,0 ± 3,9 kg/m2, p = 0,001); CC( 81,8 ± 8,2 vs 87,8 ± 10,9 cm, p = 0,003 ) e maior lipoproteína de alta densidade (HDL-c) (54,88 ± 14,44 vs 47,30 ± 12,27 mg / dl , p = 0,008) . Os VEG também apresentaram menor HOMA-IR (1,17 ± 0,70 vs 1,48 ± 0,8, p = 0,02) em comparação com ONV. Quanto a variável BDNF, não houve diferença entre os grupos VEG e ONV (662,8 + 276,5pg/ml vs 698,1 + 314,9 pg/ml, p=0,563). Conclusão - Sugere-se, portanto, que a DV pode ter efeitos protetores na saúde cardiovascular e no metabolismo desses indivíduos. / Introduction - The effects of vegetarian diets (VD) on health points out mainly to a decrease in the risk for noncomunnicable chronic disease (NCDs) once it positively modulates the biochemical parameters, particularly those related to the control of glicemic and lipemia being also a way of controlling weight. Recent studies have shown that diet can also modulate molecular parameters. In this scenario, one must pay attention to the role of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) which seems to be related to the VG in what regards the reduction of triacylglycerol and cholesterol, and the increase of insulin sensitivity. Objective - To assess adults that adopted a VD in what regards their nutritional status, biochemical and molecular parameters, in comparison to adults that adopted an omnivorous diet. Methods- A cross-sectional study assessed a population composed of 96 individuals, 56 vegetarians and 40 omnivores, adults of both genders. A questionnaire was administered in order to gather sociodemographic and life-style related data, body weight (BW), height and waist circumference (WC) were surveyed. In order to carry out the biochemical study and the expression of plasmatic BDNF, blood was collected. The Castelli indexes 1 and 2 (lipid ratios) are indicators of cardiovascular risk (CVR) with a higher predictive value than isolated parameters and therefore were calculated. Insulin resistance (IR) was calculated by the HOMA_IR index. The analyses were carried out through the SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) software, 20.0 version, taking into account a 5 per cent significance level. An analysis of logistic regression was done in order to identify if the VD and other factors are able to prevent the reduction of CVR, determined by the Castelli indexes 1 and 2. Results - There was no statistically significant difference between both groups regarding the following variables: age, gender, smoking habits, triglyceride (TG), Total Cholesterol (TC) low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL- col). On the other hand, the values of the Castelli indexes 1 (3,23 ± 0,84 vs 3,90 ± 0,99, p =0,001) and 2 (1,91 ± 0,69 vs 2,42 ± 0,79, p = 0,001) were lower in vegetarians (VEG) than in omnivores (OMV). The VEG-groups showed significant lower BW (63,9 ± 10,4 vs 69,4 ± 14,6 kg, p = 0,032); BMI (22,5 ± 2,6 vs 25,0 ± 3,9 kg/m2, p = 0,001); WC ( 81,8 ± 8,2 vs 87,8 ± 10,9 cm, p = 0,003 ) and more high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL col) (54,88 ± 14,44 vs 47,30 ± 12,27 mg / dl , p = 0,008). The VEG-group also presented lower HOMA-IR (1,17 ± 0,70 vs 1,48 ± 0,8, p = 0,02) in comparison to the OMV-group. Regarding life-style parameters, the individuals of the VEG-group displayed a tendency for practicing more physical activity (64,3 per cent vs 42,5 per cent , p = 0,056) and for ingesting food supplement (48,1 per cent vs 20,5 per cent , p = 0,012), although the number of smokers was quite similar between both groups. Regarding the BDNF variable, there was no difference between the VEG-group and the OMVGroup (662,8 + 276,5 pg/ml vs 698,1 + 314,9 pg/ml, p=0,563).Conclusion - In relation to these results it is to be suggested that a VD may exert protective effects on cardiovascular health and on the metabolism of the individuals that adopt it.

Förekomsten av högt blodtryck, högt BMI och förhöjda blodfetter är mycket vanlig både på global nivå och i Sverige och bidrar årligen till en stor del av sjukdomsbördan. Dessa metabola riskfaktorer är orsaken till flera allvarliga sjukdomar och förtidig död. Livsstilsförändringar i form av kostomläggning och fysisk aktivitet har visats vara effektiva i att minska dessa riskfaktorer och därmed reducera risken för sjukdom. Syftet med studien var att undersöka förändringar i metabola riskfaktorer hos deltagare i en sju dagar lång livsstilsintervention i form av steps4life hälsoveckor. Data från sammanlagt 136 deltagare från nio hälsoveckor utförda mellan år 2013–2017 analyserades. Antropometriska variabler, blodprov och blodtryck insamlades vid baslinjen, efter sju dagar samt vid uppföljning efter fem månader. Resultaten visade att deltagarna i hälsoveckan efter sju dagar hade signifikant lägre nivåer av total kolesterol, LDL kolesterol och triglycerider, utan att HDL kolesterol påverkades. Störst förändring kunde ses hos dem som vid baslinjen hade nivåer av LDL kolesterol och triglycerider som låg över gällande riktvärden. I studien framkom även att en signifikant minskning både i systoliskt och diastoliskt blodtryck kunde ses hos personer som vid baslinjen hade förhöjda blodtrycksnivåer. Vid uppföljning fem månader efter hälsoveckan sågs signifikant lägre nivåer av total kolesterol och LDL kolesterol än vid baslinjen. Minskning i triglycerider vid uppföljningen sågs för dem som hade förhöjda nivåer vid baslinjen. Inga signifikanta skillnader i vikt eller BMI kunde ses mellan baslinjen och efter fem månader. Trots att inga orsakssamband kan dras så är resultaten i linje med tidigare studier där liknande förändringar har kunnat påvisas under samma tidsperiod. Programmet vid steps4life hälsoveckor kan därför vara ett bra sätt att minska flera metabola riskfaktorer och därmed förebygga sjukdom. Fler och längre studier med större studiegrupper och en starkare studiedesign behövs för att utvärdera kort och långsiktiga effekter av programmet. / The prevalence of high blood pressure, high BMI and elevated blood lipids is very common both at a global level and in Sweden. A large part of the disease burden annually can be attributed to these risk factors. Several serious diseases and premature death is caused by these metabolic risk factors. Lifestyle changes in terms of dietary change and physical activity have been shown to be effective in lowering metabolic these specific risk factors and thus reducing the risk of disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in metabolic risk factors among participants in a seven-day lifestyle intervention in the form of the steps4life health program. Data from a total of 136 participants from nine health programs arranged between 2013-2017 were analyzed. Anthropometric variables, blood samples and blood pressure were collected at baseline after seven days as well as at a follow-up after five months. The results showed that after seven days, participants in the health program had significantly lower levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides without affecting HDL cholesterol. The biggest change was seen in those who at baseline had levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides that were above current recommendations. The study also found that a significant reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure could be seen in subjects that had elevated blood pressure levels at baseline. At follow-up five months after the health program, significantly lower mean levels of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were observed. Reduction in triglycerides at follow-up was observed for those who had elevated levels at baseline. No significant differences in weight or BMI could be seen between baseline and after five months. Although no causational relationships can be concluded, the results are in line with previous studies where a similar change has been demonstrated in the same timeframe. The steps4life health program can therefore be a good way to reduce multiple metabolic risk factors and thus prevent disease. More and longer studies with larger study groups and a stronger study design are needed to evaluate short and long term effects of the program.

Introduktion; Metabolt syndrom är ett tillstånd som påverkas av livsstilen och ökar i samtliga befolkningar då stillasittande, felaktiga matvanor och stress ökar över hela världen. Den har även en genetisk komponent och påverkas också starkt av metabolismen och de tre har ett komplext samband. En växtbaserad kost har en potential att förbättra många livsstilssjukdomar och förbättra både människors och den planetära hälsan.      Syfte; med detta arbete är att undersöka växtbaserad kost och dess association med metabolt syndrom. Metod; genom en strukturerad litteraturöversikt granskades tio vetenskapliga artiklar inom området för att skapa en översikt över existerande vetenskap. Efter noggrann granskning av varje artikel togs två relevanta teman upp som sedan presenterades diskuterades. Resultat; de teman som framkom utifrån analysen var ”Växtbaserad kost är associerad med förändringar i vissa metabola riskfaktorer, jämfört med animalisk kost” och ”olika typer av växtbaserade kostmönster påverkar metabola riskfaktorer på olika sätt”. Slutsats; en tydlig association mellan växtbaserad kost och metabolt syndrom visade sig där nio av tio artiklar såg en positiv hälsoeffekt i de metabola riskfaktorerna vid konsumtion av växtbaserad kost, jämfört med animalisk kost. Om den växtbaserade kosten var näringsrik eller ej visade sig vara en nyckelfaktor till hur den påverkade de metabola riskfaktorerna. Det var svårare att urskilja de olika vegetariska kostmönstrens påverkan på metabolt syndrom då tillräcklig information saknades för att dra slutsatser. / Introduction: metabolic syndrome is a condition which is affected by lifestyle and is increasing in all populations because of a growing, global sedentary lifestyles, poor diet, and stress. It also has a genetic component and is strongly affected by metabolism and the tree has a complex connection. A plant-based diet has the potential to improve many lifestyle diseases and the health for people and the planet. Aim of this study is to investigate plantbased diet and its association with metabolic syndrome. Methods: through a structured literature review ten scientific articles were reviewed within the subject area to find an overview of existing science. Through careful examination of each article, two relevant themes were found which were presented and discussed. Results: The themes emerging from the analysis were “a plant-based diet is associated with changes in some metabolic risk factors” and “different types of plant-based diets affect metabolic syndrome in different ways”. Conclusion: a clear association between a plant-based diet and metabolic risk factors showed, where nine out of ten articles showed a positive health effect in the metabolic risk factors when consuming a plant-based diet, compared with a meat-based diet. A key factor to how the plant-based diet affected the metabolic risk factors seem to be whether it was nutritious or not. It was more difficult to distinguish the different vegetarian diet patterns effect on metabolic syndrome because enough information was lacking to draw conclusions.