Health · Medical Research · 3 hrs ago
Younger adults in Loma Linda report less vegetarian eating
A study found that vegetarian eating was more common among older adults in the Loma Linda area of Southern California.
Researchers surveyed 615 adults at community events, asking about their diets, age and religious affiliation.
Loma Linda is known as a Blue Zone, a place associated with long life, and its food traditions are linked in part to Seventh-day Adventist health guidelines.
Seventh-day Adventists were more likely to be vegetarian than people who were not members of the church.
Participants who reported vegetarian diets also had lower BMI than non-vegetarians, but the survey cannot show that diet caused the difference.
The findings raise questions about whether younger generations will keep the region’s traditional eating habits, as its food environment changes.
The researchers say further study and community health promotion are needed.
A study of 615 adults in the Loma Linda region found vegetarian eating was more common among older adults and Seventh-day Adventists.
Vegetarians in the study had significantly lower body mass index than non-vegetarians.
Researchers examined whether adherence to the region’s traditional plant-based diet varies by age.
The study used voluntary, self-reported questionnaires and included nearby Southern California communities.
The findings raise questions about whether younger generations will maintain the region’s dietary traditions.
- Who
- Researchers from Loma Linda University's Office of Preventive Care surveyed 615 adults.
- What
- The study examined dietary habits, body mass index and religious affiliation across age groups.
- When
- Published on 2026-11-03. The survey dates are not stated.
- Where
- Loma Linda and nearby communities in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, Southern California.
- Why
- To assess whether adherence to the region’s traditional vegetarian diet differs by age group and inform future community health efforts.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Fast-food establishments entered Loma Linda, an example of a changing food environment cited by the article.
News-Medical published its report on the study.
- Survey participants
- 615 adults
- Younger adults
- 18 to 35 years
- Middle-aged adults
- 36 to 65 years
- Older adults
- 66 years or older
- Study location
- Loma Linda and nearby communities in San Bernardino and Riverside counties
- Diet categories
- Vegetarians included vegans, lacto-ovo vegetarians and pescatarians