Greater weight loss was reported in studies with higher baseline weights , smaller proportions of female participants , older participants , or longer duration s , and in studies in which weight loss was a goal .
The prescription of vegetarian diets  reduces mean body weight , suggesting potential value for prevention and management of weight-related conditions
In observational studies , vegetarians generally have lower body weights compared with omnivores .
However , weight changes that occur when vegetarian diets are prescribed have not been well quantified .
We estimated the effect on body weight when vegetarian diets are prescribed .
Controlled trial of fasting and one-year vegetarian diet in rheumatoid arthritis
Fasting is an effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis , but most patients relapse on re introduction of food . The effect of fasting followed by one year of a vegetarian diet was assessed in a r and omised , single-blind controlled trial . 27 patients were allocated to a four-week stay at a health farm . After an initial 7 - 10 day subtotal fast , they were put on an individually adjusted gluten-free vegan diet for 3.5 months . The food was then gradually changed to a lactovegetarian diet for the remainder of the study . A control group of 26 patients stayed for four weeks at a convalescent home , but ate an ordinary diet throughout the whole study period . After four weeks at the health farm the diet group showed a significant improvement in number of tender joints , Ritchie 's articular index , number of swollen joints , pain score , duration of morning stiffness , grip strength , erythrocyte sedimentation rate , C-reactive protein , white blood cell count , and a health assessment question naire score . In the control group , only pain score improved score . In the control group , only pain score improved significantly . The benefits in the diet group were still present after one year , and evaluation of the whole course showed significant advantages for the diet group in all measured indices . This dietary regimen seems to be a useful supplement to conventional medical treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
Greater weight loss was reported in studies with higher baseline weights , smaller proportions of female participants , older participants , or longer duration s , and in studies in which weight loss was a goal .
The prescription of vegetarian diets  reduces mean body weight , suggesting potential value for prevention and management of weight-related conditions
In observational studies , vegetarians generally have lower body weights compared with omnivores .
However , weight changes that occur when vegetarian diets are prescribed have not been well quantified .
We estimated the effect on body weight when vegetarian diets are prescribed .