title: Vegetarianism and meat consumption: A comparison of attitudes and beliefs between vegetarian, semi-vegetarian, and omnivorous subjects in Belgium.
abstract: High levels of meat consumption in Belgium may be contributing to increased risk of non-communicable diseases in this population. The objective of this study is to investigate the attitudes and beliefs about vegetarianism and meat consumption among the Belgian population, ultimately to better understand the motivations underlying these dietary behaviours. This cross-sectional study was initiated in March 2011. A total of 2436 individuals from a representative consumer panel from the Flemish and Brussels communities participated. The study sample was evenly distributed by education level and sex (1238 men and 1198 women). An online questionnaire with multiple-choice questions about vegetarianism and meat consumption was completed by all participants. Although representative of the prevalence of vegetarians in the population, the number of vegetarians in the study was low (n = 38); the number of semi-vegetarians (n = 288) and omnivores was high (n = 2031). Vegetarians were more likely than semi-vegetarians to agree that meat production is bad for the environment and that meat consumption is unhealthy. Important reasons for not being vegetarian included lack of interest and awareness, taste, and limited cooking skills. Encouragingly, health and discovering new tastes were seen as the most important motives for considering eating a more vegetarian-based diet. The results of this study highlight the motivations that can be used for encouraging the general public to reduce their meat consumption in favour of a plant-rich diet, and will help to inform more targeted health campaigns for reducing meat consumption in Belgium.
authors.affiliation: Nutritional Epidemiology Group, International Agency for Research on Cancer, 150 Cours Albert Thomas, 69372 Lyon Cedex 08, France.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mullee
authors.affiliation: KaHo Sint-Lieven, Gebroeders Desmetstraat 1, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Leen
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vermeire
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Ghent University, UZ-Ghent, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vanaelst
authors.affiliation: Movement and Sports Training, Faculty of Physical Education and Physical Therapy, VUB Brussels University, 1000 Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mullie
authors.affiliation: Movement and Sports Training, Faculty of Physical Education and Physical Therapy, VUB Brussels University, 1000 Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Deriemaeker
authors.affiliation: EVA vzw, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 130, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Leenaert
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Ghent University, UZ-Ghent, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Stefaan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Henauw
authors.affiliation: Nutritional Epidemiology Group, International Agency for Research on Cancer, 150 Cours Albert Thomas, 69372 Lyon Cedex 08, France.
authors.forename: Aoibheann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dunne
authors.affiliation: Nutritional Epidemiology Group, International Agency for Research on Cancer, 150 Cours Albert Thomas, 69372 Lyon Cedex 08, France.
authors.forename: Marc J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Gunter
authors.affiliation: Movement and Sports Training, Faculty of Physical Education and Physical Therapy, VUB Brussels University, 1000 Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Clarys
authors.affiliation: Nutritional Epidemiology Group, International Agency for Research on Cancer, 150 Cours Albert Thomas, 69372 Lyon Cedex 08, France; Department of Public Health, Ghent University, UZ-Ghent, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: huybrechtsi@iarc.fr.
authors.forename: Inge
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Huybrechts
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001530:Belgium; D060435:Carnivory / Q000208:ethnology; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D000072001:Diet, Healthy / Q000208:ethnology; D014676:Diet, Vegetarian / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000208:ethnology; D057566:Self Report; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Attitudes; Beliefs; Diet; Omnivores; Vegetarianism