Vegetarianism is a fad that has been not only invading the US, but also has taken a place throughout the world. Statistics have shown that vegetarianism is not only appealing to adults, but also to teenagers. Is this new way of seeing food influencing students at George Mason High? The number of vegetarians is quite a large percentage of students, though it may not seem this way.

"I have seen a slight increase in vegetarians in this school. My first year here I didn’t hear much from students, but now, with the freshmen coming in, I’ve heard more and more about tofu and such," said math teacher Daniel Wilkie. Large numbers of vegetarians throughout the United States and the world have had an influence on teenagers. A recent survey conducted by The Vegetarian Resource Group Zogby, January, 2000, showed that 2.4 percent of the population of the United States is vegetarian, and 0.9 percent is vegan. Though the poll did not survey teenagers 17 and under, the largest group of vegetarians was Ages 18-29, with 6.0 percent. 4.5 percent of those surveyed never eat meat, and the largest group there was also Ages 18-29, with 10.4 percent. These growing numbers have shown that teenagers have become more interested in the concept of vegetarianism.

A vegetarian is defined as "a person who does not eat or does not believe in eating meat, fish, fowl, or, in some cases, any food derived from animals," and a vegan as "a vegetarian who omits all animal products from the diet," by the Random House Webster’s dictionary. In a time when people are focusing more and more on their own health and beginning to show concerns for the environment, vegetarianism may seem like the perfect way to go. Some view vegetarianism as a step towards a healthier life, though to others it may be harder to stay healthy.

"I’m a vegetarian because I feel there is no need to eat meat. I mean, if there’s no reason to do something, why do it?" said Aysha Twose. The medical advantages of excluding meat and other animal products has been a major focus of many studies these days, as more doctors are warning their patients about the harmful effects of cholesterol caused by meat. 

"The fat and cholesterol in animal products has long been implicated in heart disease, the No. 1 killer in the United States, and now red meat, especially, has been linked to higher incidence of a number of common forms of cancer," said John Fauber of the Journal Sentinel staff, in his article "Is it Time to Chuck Meat?" 

And yet many vegetarians have received contradictory information about the bad effect of solely eating non-animal products on one’s health. A loss of protein and the need to consume more vegetables containing protein can be stressful to vegetarians. Also, the loss of meat, poultry, dairy products, etc. can be just as detrimental. 

But other reasons other than a healthy diet have driven teenagers throughout the country to turn to this extreme. Ethics and morality have become a major issue for teenagers going through, well, what teenagers go through. 

"I don’t think it’s fair to animals, especially water dwelling fauna. They’re helpless," said a sophomore who wished to remain anonymous. But for whatever reason, vegetarians are getting their point across to many others. And this has sparked a major change in the way teenagers think, and of course, eat.