Pilot Study: The Impact of Vegetarianism and Meat Eating on Health
A Sample Questionnaire
Introduction
Measuring the impact of vegetarian and meat eating on health involves the
consideration of health indicators in the questionnaire in order to determine the overall
health status of vegetarian and meat eating people as basis for comparison. Overall
health status covers the physical and mental or psychological aspects of people.
Questionnaire Design [See Appendix for the Questionnaire]
The questionnaire covers four parts. The first part seeks to determine the
independent variables surrounding the food intake preferences of the participants such
as name, which is optional, age, gender and economic status. The last three variables
provide a very important context to the food diet of the research participants since these
could indicate the propensity of people to prefer vegetarianism to eating meat as part of
daily diet. These variables could also explain similarities and differences in the answers
provided by the research participants.
The second part involves the lifestyle characteristics of the research
participants. This includes questions on the possible habits of the participants such as
smoking, drinking and substance abuse that could influence their health status
regardless of their food diet preference. This part also includes the question on the food
intake preferences, as either vegetarian or meat eating, together with the question of
when the research participants assumed their food diet preferences. This part
determines similarities and differences in the lifestyle of vegetarians and meat eaters
that could indicate or explain the nature and extent of the similarities and differences
among the health status of the research participants.
The third part covers the physical health of the research participants. Physical
health is measured through their current weight, records of hospitalization or treatment
for injuries and illnesses, and the physical activities engaged in by the participants. This
part also asks the research participants about the specific injuries or illnesses that
caused the need for hospitalization or treatment. These follow-up questions determine
whether the injuries or illness sustained are diet related or not. Another follow-up
question on the type of physical activity and the extent of engagement in the physical
activity of the research participants to determine their level of health based on the
assumption that greater levels of health allows people to engage more extensively in
their choice of physical activities.
The fourth part covers the mental or psychological health of the research
participants. This portion covers questions on the self-rating of health status, self-
esteem linked to health status, self-rating of level of stress, and the perceived level of
stress coping mechanisms. These questions are designed to determine the manner that
the research participants view themselves in relation to their food diet preference. The
self-rating questions allow the researchers to determine the extent of the personal
outlook of the individuals about themselves as linked to their food intake. The questions
on stress offer the researchers to gain insight into the nature of the relationship between
food intake and psychological health. Population Parameters
Population of the study comprise university students. However, since there is no
available statistics on the ration of vegetarian students relative to the meat eating
population, there is initial need to determine the number in order to derive a
representative research population in case of a sizable number or tap them as research
participants in case of a limited number of vegetarians on campus. The final number of
research participants in the actual study, comprised of an equal number of vegetarian
and meat eating students, would depend upon the number of vegetarian people
surveyed to be enrolled in the university. The pilot study determines two things, one is
the population of the final study and the other is the viability of the health status
questionnaire.
It would be impossible to float questionnaires to the whole university population
due to the number of students enrolled. However, in order to gain high degrees of
representation from different student groups and a wide scope of test population, the
pilot questionnaire was floated randomly in the different colleges and departments.
Overall, the researchers randomly floated 1000 pilot questionnaires all over campus.
Normally, the pilot study population comprise a representative portion of the final pool of
research participants. However, to achieve the goal of the pilot study of determining an
estimate of the number of the vegetarian students on campus, the number pilot study
participants are greater that the final research participants.
Initially, the random sampling method (De Vaus 2001), worked for the purpose
of determining the final pool of research participants but in the final study purposive
sampling (De Vaus 2001) was used because of the research requirement of having a
selected pool of participants based on food intake preferences. Random method of
selecting participants was used to determine the number of vegetarian students or the
ratio of vegetarian to meat eating students in the university. The result would determine
the final population for the study through the application of purposive sampling.
Pilot Study Results
Questionnaire Return rate
Out of the 1000 questionnaires floated around campus, only 750 returned or
returned with significant answers that the researchers could use. A 75 percent return
rate for questionnaires is overall acceptable since the people who never returned the
questionnaire or returned the questionnaires without relevant answers are spread
throughout the different colleges or divisions. This means that the goal of achieving a
wide range of respondents and representation for different student groups was still
achieved. However, people who did not return the questionnaire or returned it without
completing the answers could indicate something about the viability of the
questionnaire.
Based on a perusal of the questionnaires with incomplete answers, majority of
the questionnaires with incomplete answers lacked answers on the space provided for
name. This indicates that there was hesitation or unwillingness on the part of the
respondents to divulge their names most probably because of the apprehension that
doing so would link their names to their answers particularly on the questions about
lifestyle. This assumption is supported by the fact that most of the questionnaires
without any names given also skipped on the first three questions about lifestyle,
particularly on smoking, drinking and illicit drug intake habits. This implies that it would
be better for the questionnaire not to ask the names of the respondents in order to allay
any initial concerns about the confidentiality of the answers. It would also help if in
floating the final questionnaire, respondents will first be assured of the purpose of the
study and the confidentiality of the results to ensure their full cooperation. Doing these
would increase the return of the questionnaires and increase the return rate for the final
study.
Personal Information
In considering the 750 questionnaires returned to the researchers, it was
determined that in terms of gender, majority of the respondents were females with 55
percent and the remaining 45 percent comprised of male respondents. Although, there
are more females than males, the distribution of respondents across the genders
represents sufficient representation based on gender. With regard to age, the
respondents fall under the age range of 19 to 23 years of age with 70 percent of the
respondents falling under the mean age between 20 to 21 years of age. In relation to
economic status, 65 percent of the respondents answered that they belong to middle
class families, 20 percent answered that they are members of low income families, and
the remaining 15 percent answered that they belong to upper income class families.
The results showed that with the exception of the name query, the part asking
for the personal information of the respondents was able to draw socio-demographic
similarities and differences across the respondent pool which is important as contextual
background for the answers and as rationale for the answers in the succeeding
portions. The socio-demographic trend would support and explain results of the physical
and mental health status of vegetarians and meat eaters.
Lifestyle
Answers to the lifestyle portion indicate that 63 percent answered that they
smoke. Out of this percentage, majority either smoke several times a month or
occasionally. Although, a large percentage of the respondents smoke, majority smoke
only on occasion or a few times every month. In addition, 72 percent of respondents
answered that they drink alcohol. Of this percentage, majority are concentrated in the
mean answers of drinking a few times a week, several times a month or occasionally.
Although, most of the respondents drink alcohol, the level of intake is controlled.
Moreover, 13 percent of the respondents admitted to illicit drug use. From this
percentage, respondents are almost spread across the different answers but the highest
percentage was attributed to illicit drug intake a few times a week followed by
occasionally. This means that the extent of illicit drug intake cannot be generalized for
the pilot study population. The results from these answers show that the questions were
able to elicit information on the lifestyle of the respondents to draw generalization as
well as the lack of basis for generalizations.
Answers to the question on food diet shows that 11.07 percent or 83 of the 750
respondents are vegetarians. This translates to a 1 in 10 ratio of vegetarian to meat
eaters. In terms of the time when the vegetarian food diet was started, 79 percent of the
vegetarian respondents answered that they been vegetarians since childhood implying
family influence as the factor for the preference, 15 percent answered that they become
vegetarians when they entered college implying the influence of peers, and the
remaining 6 percent became vegetarians in high school indicating peer influence or
conscious choice to loose weight. Again, the questions suffice to provide researchers
with a background on vegetarianism.
Physical Health
Comparative statistics of the answers provided by vegetarians and meat eaters
indicate similarities and differences. In terms of current weight, majority of vegetarians
and meat eaters, fall under the average weight category but of the remaining number
there is a significant number of meat eaters falling under overweight category. In terms
of hospitalization for injuries, majority of vegetarians and meat eaters answered no. Out
of the people who answered yes, common causes for the injuries of both vegetarians
and meat eaters are slips and falls and vehicular accidents. With regard to
hospitalization or treatment for illnesses, again majority of respondents answered no.
Causes for hospitalization varied from diarrhoea to food poisoning to asthma but the
ration for hospitalization of vegetarian and meat eater respondents weighed greater for
meat eaters. With regard to physical activity, there is a significant difference between
the physical activity engaged in by vegetarians and meat eaters and the extent of
engagement in the activity. This portion of the questionnaire was able to determine the
existence of differences in the physical health status and the extent of difference in
health condition of vegetarian and meat eating respondents.
Mental/Psychological Health
Results of the answers given to the portion measuring the mental or
psychological well-being of the respondents show a difference in the rating of the
respondents of their current level of health. While 85 percent of vegetarians answered
that they are in excellent health, only 65 percent of meat eaters believe they are in
excellent health. Concurrently, there were more very satisfactory responses from
vegetarians relative to meat eaters in terms of their feelings about their current health
status. There were also more meat eaters rating their health status as unsatisfactory
relative to vegetarians.
In terms of stress level, majority of the respondents fall under the average to
high stress level category implying that vegetarians and meat eaters face similar levels
of stress. In terms of the level of coping mechanism for stress, vegetarians showed a
higher satisfaction over their coping mechanisms for stress relative to meat eaters with
a margin of 21 percent. This means that despite the similar level of stress faced by the
respondents, vegetarians significantly have higher satisfaction over their ability to cope
with stress.
These results indicate that the questions were able to determine the similarities
and differences in the mental health status of vegetarian and meat eater respondents.
Pilot Study Observations & Interviews
Researchers observed most of the respondents answering the questionnaire on
the spot. After the questionnaire has been answered, an informal interview was
conducted on the time it took for the respondent to answer the question, the clarity of
the instructions, clarity of the questions, objection to any questions, layout of the
questions, as well as other comments.
With regard to the length of the questionnaire, it was three pages so that
respondents initially had a negative reaction to the time its takes to finish the
questionnaire but upon explanation that the questionnaire involves a 13 multiple choice
questions with some open-ended follow-up questions, most of the respondents
approached agreed to complete the questionnaire. In terms of the clarity of the
instructions, there were several respondents repelled by the idea of having open-ended
questions so that there was need to explain the reason for the explanations. In terms of
the clarity of the questions, most of the respondents had no problem understanding the
questions and answering it but there are several respondents who felt confused about
questions 1 and 2 in part IV on the mental or psychological health status. In terms of
any objections to answering any of the particular research questions, no respondent felt
in any way offended by the questions except the hesitation to provide an answer to the
questions on lifestyle because of the apprehension over the possible implications to
them.
Observations and informal interviews (Blaxter, Hughes & Tight 1998; Robson
2002) of some of the respondents show the overall viability of the questionnaire in
allowing the researchers to gather data on the impact of vegetarianism and meat eating
to health.
Conclusions & Recommendations
On the aggregate, the research questionnaire comprises a viable tool in eliciting
the data requirements of the study. This is so in the sense that on the technical side, the
instructions and questions were overall clear and there were also no strong negative
reactions against any of the questions. Questionnaire viability was also supported by
the ability of the questions to draw information from the answers given by the
respondents relevant to the study.
However, there are also changes that need to be done in the questionnaire and
the manner of floating the questionnaire in order to optimize viability. In relation to the
questionnaire itself, the space asking for the name should be removed. In addition,
question 1 and 2 in part IV on the emotional or psychological health status should be
clarified. In terms of the manner of floating the questionnaire, there should be an initial
briefing of respondents in order to explain the purpose of the research and the technical
aspects of the questionnaire together with the assurance of confidentiality to achieve full
participation from the respondents.
References
Blaxter, L Hughes, C & Tight, M 1998, How to Research, Open University Press,
Buckingham.
De Vaus, D 2001, Surveys in Social Research, 5th ed, Routledge, London.
Robson, C 2002, Real World Research, 2nd ed, Blackwell, Oxford.
Appendix
Health Status Questionnaire for the Pilot Study
Instructions: Please fill in the blank items or place a check mark on your chosen answer
in the multiple choice questions.
I. Personal Information
Name
Age
Gender
Economic Status
Instructions: Please
II. Lifestyle
1. Do you smoke?
_____Yes _____No
If yes, how often do you smoke?
_____Everyday
_____A few times a week
_____Several times a month
_____Occasionally
_____Sparingly
2. Do you drink alcohol?
_____Yes _____No
If yes, how often do you drink alcohol?
_____Everyday
_____A few times a week
_____Several times a month
_____Occasionally
_____Sparingly
3. Do you take-in illicit drugs?
_____Yes _____No
If yes, how often do you take-in illicit drugs?
_____Everyday
_____A few times a week
_____Several times a month
_____Occasionally
_____Sparingly
4. Describe your type of food diet?
_____Vegetarian _____Meat Eating
5. How long have you engaged in this food diet preference?
_____Since Childhood
_____High School
_____College/University
_____Others, please specify ___________________
III. Physical Health
1. How do you assess your current weight?
_____Extremely Underweight
_____Underweight
_____Average Weight
_____Overweight
_____Obese
2. Have you been hospitalized or treated in the past year for injuries?
_____Yes _____No
If yes, what type of injury caused your hospitalization or treatment?
________________________________________________________________
3. Have you been hospitalized or treated in the past year for illness?
If yes, what type of illness caused your hospitalization or treatment?
________________________________________________________________
4. Do you engage in physical activities?
_____Yes _____No
If yes, what type of physical activities do you engage in?
________________________________________________________________
If yes, how often do you engage in physical activities?
_____Everyday
_____A few times a week
_____Several times a month
_____Occasionally
_____Sparingly
IV. Emotional/Psychological Health
1. How do you rate your current level of health?
_____Excellent Health
_____Good Health
_____Average Health
_____Low Health
_____Poor Health
2. How do you feel about your current level of health?
_____Very Satisfied
_____Satisfied
_____Average
_____Dissatisfied
_____Very Dissatisfied
What are the reasons for your answer?
_______________________________________________________________
3. How do you rate your level of stress?
_____Very Low
_____Low
_____Average
_____High
_____Very High
4. How do you rate your stress coping mechanism?
_____Very Unsatisfactory
_____Unsatisfactory
_____Average
_____Satisfactory
_____Very Satisfactory
What are the reasons for your answer?