Predictors of Meat Reduction: The Case of Slovenia.

Andrej Kirbiš, Vanesa Korže, Maruša Lubej
Author Information
  1. Andrej Kirbiš: Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia. ORCID
  2. Vanesa Korže: Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia. ORCID
  3. Maruša Lubej: Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia. ORCID

Abstract

Health, environmental, and animal advocacy organisations emphasise reducing or eliminating high meat consumption due to its adverse effects on health, sustainability, climate change, and animal welfare. Increasingly, people are deciding to reduce their meat consumption frequency. Our study aimed to examine predictors of meat reduction among Slovenian consumers, focusing on gender, age, partner and children status, size of residential settlement, socioeconomic status, and political orientation. We conducted a survey using non-probability sampling. We examined demographic, socioeconomic, and political predictors of individuals' self-assessed intent to reduce meat consumption in the month following the survey. Additionally, we analysed respondents' meat reduction during the three years prior. A correlation analysis revealed that higher age and education levels were significantly positively correlated with meat reduction patterns. An ordinal logistic regression analysis indicated that age was the only significant predictor of meat reduction intentions and past behaviour. Our findings suggest that middle-aged and elderly individuals are more likely than younger adults to report meat reduction behaviours. Future public health interventions should tailor approaches to different age groups, and, in particular, target younger individuals. Educational campaigns should highlight the health and environmental benefits of reducing meat and animal product consumption, particularly in primary and secondary schools.

Keywords

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Grants

  1. V5-2374/Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency (ARIS); Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Energy

Word Cloud

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