Study Shows 7.3 Million Americans are Vegetarians
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According to the "Vegetarianism in America study by Vegetarian Times Magazine, 3.2% of U.S. adults, or 7.3 million people, follow a vegetarian-based diet. Approximately 0.5%, or 1 million adults, are vegans, who consume no animal products at all. In addition, 10% of U.S. adults, or 22.8 million people, say they largely follow a vegetarian-inclined diet. Data on age, gender, and other demographics were also included.
The demographics of the vegetarians surveyed included:
- 59% female; 41% male
- 42% age 18 to 34 years old; 40.7 % age 35 to 54; and 17.4 percent over 55.
- 57.1 % have followed a vegetarian diet for more than 10 years; 18% for 5 to 10 years; 10.8% for 2 to 5 years, 14.1% for less than 2 years.
The reasons/motivators cited for following the vegetarian diet include:
- 53% improve overall health
- 47% environmental concerns
- 39% "natural approaches to wellness"
- 31% food-safety concerns
- 54% animal welfare
- 25% weight loss; and
- 24 % weight maintenance
"A vast number of people are seeking to reduce their meat intake, creating a rapidly growing market for all things vegetarian," says Bill Harper, vice president and publisher of Vegetarian Times. Newsstand sales from July through December increased over 19% in 2007 from the same time period, 2006.
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