Researchers in Austria asked 1,350 school teachers and principals about their eating habits and lifestyle choices. They found that most teachers (92.5%) eat meat, while a small number are vegetarian (5.2%) or vegan (2.3%). Interestingly, health was the top reason people chose their diet, and most teachers said they liked an active lifestyle. Teachers who didn’t eat meat ate more vegetables, but overall, many teachers could improve their health by exercising more, eating more fruits, and avoiding smoking and alcohol. Since teachers are role models for students, their healthy habits matter.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether school teachers and principals in Austria have different health habits depending on whether they eat meat, don’t eat meat but eat dairy and eggs, or are completely vegan
  • Who participated: 1,350 Austrian school teachers and principals (about 70% women, 30% men), with an average age of 46 years old
  • Key finding: Teachers who avoided meat ate significantly more vegetables (about 93% ate vegetables daily) compared to meat-eating teachers, but most teachers in all groups didn’t exercise enough and many drank alcohol or smoked
  • What it means for you: If you’re a teacher or work with children, your eating and exercise habits matter because kids watch and learn from you. Choosing more vegetables is good, but it’s just one part of being healthy—you also need regular exercise and avoiding smoking and excess alcohol

The Research Details

This was a snapshot study, meaning researchers asked teachers one time about their habits rather than following them over months or years. Teachers filled out an online survey with questions about their weight, height, exercise, what they eat, and whether they smoke or drink alcohol. The researchers then compared the answers between teachers who eat meat, teachers who eat dairy and eggs but not meat, and teachers who eat no animal products at all.

The study included 1,350 teachers from Austria, which is a good-sized group. About 70% were women and 30% were men, with an average age of about 46 years old. The researchers used standard math tests to see if the differences between groups were real or just by chance.

Teachers are important role models for children and teenagers. If teachers have healthy habits, they’re more likely to teach and encourage healthy habits in their students. This study helps us understand whether teachers who choose different diets also have other healthy behaviors, and whether schools need to do more to help teachers stay healthy.

This study has some strengths: it included a large number of teachers and asked detailed questions about their habits. However, it’s a snapshot study, so we can’t prove that one diet causes better health—we can only see what’s connected. Also, teachers who answered the survey might be more health-conscious than teachers who didn’t answer, which could make the results look better than reality. The study only looked at Austrian teachers, so results might be different in other countries.

What the Results Show

The study found that most Austrian teachers (92.5%) eat meat, while 5.2% don’t eat meat but do eat dairy products and eggs, and only 2.3% are completely vegan. Health was the biggest reason people chose their diet (46.4% said this), and most teachers (81.7%) said they liked an active lifestyle.

Teachers who didn’t eat meat ate way more vegetables—about 93% of vegetarian and vegan teachers ate vegetables daily, compared to fewer meat-eating teachers. This is an important difference. However, when looking at other healthy habits, the groups were pretty similar. Most teachers in all groups exercised about 3 days per week, about 62% ate fruit daily, about 81% drank alcohol, and about 11% smoked.

Women were more likely to be vegetarian than men (6.4% of women vs. 2.4% of men). The study also found that even though teachers said they valued an active lifestyle, many of them weren’t exercising as much as health experts recommend.

The research showed that choosing a plant-based diet (no meat) was connected with eating more vegetables, which is good. However, diet type alone didn’t guarantee other healthy behaviors. For example, vegetarian and vegan teachers still drank alcohol and smoked at similar rates to meat-eating teachers. This suggests that choosing what to eat is just one piece of the health puzzle.

This is the first study to carefully compare these three specific diet groups (meat-eaters, vegetarians who eat dairy and eggs, and vegans) among school teachers in Europe. Previous research has looked at vegetarians and vegans in general populations, but this study focused on teachers specifically because they’re role models. The findings fit with other research showing that plant-based diets are connected with eating more vegetables, but they also confirm that diet choice alone doesn’t guarantee overall good health.

The study only took a snapshot at one moment in time, so we can’t say that one diet causes better health—only that they’re connected. Teachers who volunteered to answer the survey might be healthier or more interested in health than teachers who didn’t answer. The study only included Austrian teachers, so the results might be different in other countries or cultures. Also, teachers reported their own information, which means some answers might not be completely accurate.

The Bottom Line

If you’re a teacher or work with children: (1) Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits—this is clearly connected with choosing a plant-based diet, but it’s healthy for everyone. (2) Exercise regularly—aim for at least 150 minutes per week, which is more than the 3 days per week most teachers reported. (3) Limit alcohol and avoid smoking. (4) Remember that your healthy habits are visible to students and influence them. These recommendations have moderate confidence because the study shows connections but can’t prove cause-and-effect.

School teachers and principals should especially care about these findings because they’re role models. Parents should care because teachers influence their children’s health habits. Anyone working in education or youth programs should consider how their personal health habits affect the young people they work with. These findings are most relevant to people in Austria and similar European countries.

If you start eating more vegetables, you might notice better digestion and energy within days to weeks. If you start exercising more, you might feel stronger and sleep better within 2-4 weeks. Bigger health changes like weight loss or improved blood pressure typically take 8-12 weeks of consistent effort.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily vegetable servings (aim for 5+ servings) and weekly exercise days (aim for 5+ days). Use the app to log meals and workouts, then review weekly to see if you’re meeting these targets.
  • Start by adding one extra vegetable to each meal this week, and schedule three specific days for exercise next week. Use the app’s reminder feature to prompt you at meal times and workout times.
  • Weekly check-in: Review your vegetable intake and exercise frequency every Sunday. Monthly check-in: Assess overall energy levels, sleep quality, and how you feel. Track trends over 8-12 weeks to see real changes in how you feel and perform.

This study shows connections between diet type and health habits among Austrian school teachers, but it cannot prove that one diet causes better health. Results may not apply to teachers in other countries or to non-teachers. If you’re considering major dietary changes or have health concerns, please consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice.