Your attempt to reduce the findings to just a BMI effect demonstrates a misunderstanding of epidemiological research methods and statistical adjustment.
The claim that BMI is probably the primary predictor rather than diet is incorrect because:
- The study's statistical analyses adjusted for confounding factors including BMI
- The researchers specifically isolated dietary patterns as independent variables
- The risk reductions remained significant even after these adjustments
The research demonstrates clear, independent associations between vegan diets and health outcomes:
- Vegan males showed a 42% reduction in CVD mortality compared to non-vegetarians
- Vegan males had a 55% risk reduction for ischemic heart disease specifically
- These effects were stronger than those seen in lacto-ovo-vegetarians, suggesting a dose-response relationship with animal product avoidance
The study's methodology was particularly robust, featuring:
- Large sample size (over 96,000 participants)
- Prospective design
- Clear dietary pattern definitions
- Appropriate statistical controls
- Multiple cohorts showing consistent results
The study's statistical methods specifically isolated dietary effects from BMI effects, demonstrating that vegan diets reduce cardiovascular risk independently of body weight differences.
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