Plant‐Based Foods: Adolescents' Perceptions and the Consequent Implications for Policy and Practice

Abstract

A plant‐based diet, with an emphasis on plant foods and limited amounts of refined processed foods and animal products, conveys substantial health benefits. The objective of this study was to explore adolescents' attitudes and perceptions towards plant‐based foods, both in and out of the school environment.Semi‐structured focus group interviews were conducted with Year 10 students (age 14‐15 years) (n=29) attending a large secondary school in the city of Leeds, UK. The focus group interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and categories and concepts were derived using a grounded theory methodology. Emergent theories were tested against the data collected and existing theories, until the final categories and concepts, as well as their interrelationships were well defined.Data analysis provided four main categories (Food choice parameters; Perceived drivers and benefits of plant‐based foods; Environmental food cues; Barriers to plant‐based food choice) each with their related concepts. The disconnect between plant‐based foods and adolescents' food choice parameters is highlighted, and barriers to adolescents adopting a plant‐based diet are differentiated and considered with respect to practice and policy. Opportunities to remodel and re‐present plant‐based foods in order to shift adolescents' diets are explored.The grounded theory that emerged focuses on the disconnect between adolescents' food choice parameters and plant‐based foods. The study suggests implications for practice and policy with opportunities to improve and manage adolescents' diet.Grant Funding Source: Alpro Foundation