Associated factors in adherence to plant-based diets in university students
Keywords:
Diet, Meat, Sustainability, University, VegetarianismAbstract
Objective
To evaluate the association among plant-based eating patterns and motivations, difficulties and sociodemographic data in university students.
Methods
Quantitative research with a cross-sectional design with 815 university students. Collection was carried out using a structured questionnaire. For data analysis, the Chi-square test, T-test and Anova were used based on the Kolmogorov Smirnov normality test, at a significance level of p<0.05, in addition to descriptive statistics with the aid of the free software PSPP.
Results
Nine point six percent of academics follow plant-based diets, and their adherence is associated (p<0.05) with a left-wing political spectrum, pro-environmental behaviors, concern for animal rights, boycotts of the meat industry and non- like the taste of meat. Omnivores had more difficulty adhering to and maintaining these diets (p<0.00) as well as in food preparation, selfcontrol over meat consumption and eating outside the home.
Conclusion
Enabling behavioral changes in the population in order to promote healthy and sustainable eating should be a priority for public policies and the private sector, considering the impact of the food system on climate change.
Downloads
References
Alpino TMA, Mazoto ML, Barros DC, Freitas CM. Os impactos das mudanças climáticas na Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional: uma revisão da literatura. Ciênc Saúde Coletiva. 2022;27(1):273-86. doi: https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232022271.05972020
Vieux F, Perignon M, Gazan R, Darmon N. Dietary changes needed to improve diet sustainability: are they similar across Europe? Eur J Clin Nutr. 2018;72(7):951-60. doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-017-0080-z
Willett W, Rockström J, Loken B, Springmann M, Lang T, Vermeulen S, et al. Food in the Anthropocene: the EAT–Lancet Commission on healthy diets from sustainable food systems. Lancet. 2019;393(10170):447-92. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(18)31788-4
Hargreaves SM, Rosenfeld DL, Moreira AVB, Zandonadi RP. Plant-based and vegetarian diets: an overview and definition of these dietary patterns. Eur J Nutr. 2023;62(3):1109-21. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-023-03086-z
Meybeck A, Gitz V. Sustainable diets within sustainable food systems. Proc Nutr Soc. 2017;76(1):1-11. doi: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0029665116000653
Elliott PS, Devine LD, Gibney ER, O’Sullivan AM. What factors influence sustainable and healthy diet consumption? A review and synthesis of literature within the university setting and beyond. Nutr Res. 2024;126:23-45. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutres.2024.03.004
Schenk P, Rössel J, Scholz M. Motivations and constraints of meat avoidance. Sustainability. 2018;10(11):3858. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/su10113858
Doneda D, Soares CH, Zanini MCC, Silva VL. Vegetarianismo muito além do prato: ética, saúde, estilos de vida e processos de identificação em diálogo. Rev Ingesta. 2020;2(1):176-99. doi: https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2596-3147.v2i1p176-199
Krizanova J, Rosenfeld DL, Tomiyama AJ, Guardiola J. Pro-environmental behavior predicts adherence to plant-based diets. Appetite. 2021;163(105243):105243. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2021.105243
Mundstock Xavier de Carvalho M. Vegetarianismo e veganismo: a expansão rápida de uma nova filosofia alimentar no Brasil. Rev Alim Cult Am. 2020;2(2):89-101. doi: https://doi.org/10.35953/raca.v2i2.57
Ortiz R, Massar RE, McMacken M, Albert SL. Stronger together than apart: the role of social support in adopting a healthy plant-based eating pattern. Appetite. 2024;198:107341. doi: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2024.107341
Neufingerl N, Eilander A. Nutrient Intake and status in adults consuming plant-based diets compared to meat-eaters: a systematic review. Nutrients. 2022;14(1):29. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14010029
Agnoli C, Baroni L, Bertini I, Ciappellano S, Fabbri A, Goggi S, et al. A comprehensive review of healthy effects of vegetarian diets. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2023;33(7):1308-15. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.numecd.2023.04.005
Tiganis A, Chrysochou P, Krystallis A. Political ideology shapes heterogeneous preferences for food values. Food Qual Prefer. 2023;112:105038. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2023.105038
Rosenfeld DL, Tomiyama AJ. Taste and health concerns trump anticipated stigma as barriers to vegetarianism. Appetite. 2020;144:104469. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2019.104469
Nezlek JB, Forestell CA. Vegetarianism as a social identity. Curr Opin Food Sci. 2020;33:45-51. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cofs.2019.12.005
Zinn AK, Zhu OY, Dolnicar S. Increasing meat-free meal selections: the role of social identity salience and identity-related meal names. Appetite. 2023;191:107067. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2023.107067
Jomori MM, Vasconcelos FAG, Bernardo GL, Uggioni PL, Proença RPC. The concept of cooking skills: a review with contributions to the scientific debate. Rev Nutr. 2018;31(1):119-35. doi: http://doi.org/10.1590/1678-98652018000100010
Maciel ME. Churrasco à gaúcha. Horiz Antropol. 1996;2(4):34-48.
Associação Brasileira das Indústrias Exportadoras de Carnes. Beef Report 2024: perfil da pecuária no Brasil. Brasilia: ABIEC; 2024 [cited 2024 Nov 1]. Available from: https://www.abiec.com.br/publicacoes/beef-report-2024-perfil-da-pecuaria-no-brasil/
Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. Pesquisa de Orçamentos Familiares 2017-2018: avaliação nutricional da disponibilidade domiciliar de alimentos no Brasil. Rio de Janeiro: IBGE; 2020.
Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. Pesquisa de Orçamentos Familiares 2008-2009: avaliação nutricional da disponibilidade domiciliar de alimentos no Brasil. Rio de Janeiro: IBGE; 2010.
Milfont TL, Satherley N, Osborne D, Wilson MS, Sibley CG. To meat, or not to meat: a longitudinal investigation of transitioning to and from plant-based diets. Appetite. 2021;166(105584):105584. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2021.105584
Dhont K, Ioannidou M. Health, environmental, and animal rights motives among omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans and the associations with meat, dairy, and egg commitment. Food Qual Prefer. 2024;118:105196. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2024.105196
Bergeret, D. Beef boycotts aren’t enough to save the amazon rainforest. Foodnavigator/Europa. England: Willian Reed; 2022 [cited 2023 Oct 18]. Available from: https://www.foodnavigator.com/Article/2022/08/23/Beef-boycotts-aren-t-enough-to-save-the-Amazon-rainforest
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Rozane Marcia Triches, Verlaine Petri Eickhof, Hyrana Gabriela Lucas Guadagnini Candido
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
