A Description of Vegetarian Practices among Seventh-day Adventists in Liberia

Abstract

Background: The Seventh-day Adventist Church is known to adopt vegetarian practices as a healthy lifestyle. Several studies have concentrated on vegetarian practices and examined healthy vegan dietary practices, values, and behaviors of vegetarian lifestyles in the Western world. Many of these studies and processes do not seem to reference Africa, especially subSaharan Africa, where Liberia is located. This study aimed to describe vegetarian practices among Seventh-day Adventists in Liberia. Methods: A qualitative ethnographic method was used. The participants were selected using a purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using group culture observations, field notes, and focused group discussions. Results: The findings identified themes from the data in three categories: level of adoption, factors that influence adoption, and outcome behavior toward adopting a vegetarian lifestyle. Conclusion: The vegetarian practices of Liberian Adventists vary based on the influence of either positive or negative factors. Education is a crucial factor influencing the vegetarian practices of Liberian Seventh-day Adventists.

Keywords

• vegetarian lifestyle
• vegetarian diet
• culture
• seventh-day adventist
• liberia