Ethnic differences in meat consumption attitudes, norms and behaviors: A survey of White, South Asian and Black ethnic groups in the UK

Abstract

A reduction in meat consumption is necessary to mitigate negative impacts of climate change and adverse health outcomes. The UK has an increasingly multi-ethnic population, yet there is little research on meat consumption habits and attitudes among ethnic groups in the UK. We ran a survey (N = 1014) with quota samples for ethnic groups and analyzed attitudes, behaviors and norm perceptions of White, South Asian and Black British respondents. Most respondents believe overconsumption of red and processed meat has negative impacts on health (73.3%) and the environment (64.3%).South Asian respondents were statistically significantly less likely to be meat eaters than White respondents (OR = 0.44, 95% CIs: 0.30-0.65, t = −4.15, p = 0.000), while there was no significant difference between White and Black respondents (OR = 1.06, 95% CIs: 0.63–1.76, t = 0.21, p = 0.834). Both South Asian (OR = 2.76, 95% CIs: 1.89–4.03 t = 5.25, p = 0.000) and Black respondents (OR = 2.09, 95% CIs: 0.1.30–3.35, t = 3.06, p = 0.002) were significantly more likely to express being influenced by friends and family in their food choices than White respondents. South Asian (OR = 3.24,95% CIs: 2.17–4.84, t = 5.74, p = 0.000) and Black (OR = 2.02,95% CIs: 1.21–3.39, t = 2.69, p = 0.007) respondents were also both significantly more likely to report they would want to eat similarly to their friends and family than White respondents. Statistical analyses suggested some gender and socioeconomic differences across and among ethnic groups, which are reported and discussed. The differences in meat consumption behaviors and norm conformity between ethnic groups raises the prospect that interventions that leverage social norms may be more effective in South Asian groups than Black and White groups in the UK.