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The cognitive contexts of beliefs about the healthiness of meat

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2007

Emma Lea  and
Anthony Worsley
Emma Lea*
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health, Adelaide University, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
Anthony Worsley
Affiliation:
School of Health Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia
*
*Corresponding author: Email emma_lea@hotmail.com
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Abstract

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Objective:

The overall aim of this study was to examine a variety of belief and demographic factors that are associated with the perception that meat is intrinsically unhealthy.

Design:

State-wide survey (written questionnaire) that included questions on meat and nutrition beliefs, perceived barriers and benefits of vegetarian diets, personal values, number of vegetarian friends and family members, and use and trust of health/nutrition/food information sources.

Setting:

South Australia.

Subjects:

Six hundred and one randomly selected South Australians and 106 non-randomly selected vegetarians and semi-vegetarians.

Results:

For all respondents considered as a group, the most important predictors of the belief that meat is intrinsically unhealthy were the perceived benefits of vegetarian diets (all positive predictors). These included: (1) the perceived links between vegetarianism, peace and increased contentment; (2) animal welfare and environmental benefits; and (3) health benefits. There were differences between different dietary groups however. For non-vegetarians, social concerns about vegetarianism (positive) were most important, followed by health and non-health benefits (positive) of vegetarianism. Red meat appreciation was the strongest (positive) predictor for vegetarians, with health benefits of vegetarianism (positive) and education (negative predictor) also important.

Conclusions:

The implications of the findings for health and other issues are discussed. Judgements about the healthiness of meat are likely to be related to moral and environmental beliefs and, for non-vegetarians, to social concerns about vegetarianism, in addition to health beliefs. These need to be considered if any attempts are made to influence meat consumption.

Keywords

BeliefsMeatVegetarianHealthSurveyAustralia
Type
Research Article
Information
Public Health Nutrition , Volume 5 , Issue 1 , February 2002 , pp. 37 - 45
Copyright
Copyright © CABI Publishing 2002

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