Unprocessed red meat consumption in the general working-age population: sociodemographic, behavioral and health-related determinants

Abstract

Anunbalanced diet, specifically excessive unprocessed red meat (RM) consumption, plays significant role in development of chronic non-communicable diseases. Modern research indicates excessive consumption of unprocessed red meat (RM) in the Russian population. There are reports of relationships between RM consumption and some factors, but it hasn't been sufficiently studied. The aim of the research was to study unprocessed RM intake and its relationship to socio-demographic, behavioral and medical factors in general population. Material and methods. In the ESSE-RF cross-sectional study, data from 1.600 participants randomly sampled from unorganized population of 25-64 years old (59% women), average age 45.0±0.5 and 47.2±0.4 years for men and women, respectively, were studied. Standard questionnaire was used. Frequency of RM consumption was presented in 4 ranked categories from "do not use/rarely" to "daily/almost daily". Associative analysis included socio-demographic, behavioral and health-related variables. Descriptive statistics, single- and multivariable ordinal regression were used. Results. 52.1% of men and 41.9% of women consumed RM daily (p<0.001), one third of all - 1-2 times a week (p=0.737), 11.5% of men and 22.5% of women - 1-2 times a month or less (p<0.001). Odds for higher RM consumption were higher in men (OR=1.67; p<0.001). In men RM intake didn't vary with age (p=0.796). Highest RM intake in women was observed at the age of 35-44 years, comparatively lower at 25-34 (OR=0.70; p=0.076), 45-54 (OR=0.63; p=0.012) and 55-64 years old (OR=0.42; p<0.001), respectively. In multivariable analysis, prosperity level (women), physically active work, marital status, living in own housing showed a direct, whereas presence of carotid atherosclerotic plaques (women) and walking >=45 min - inverse association with RM consumption, accordingly. Conclusion. With age, the frequency of RM consumption was relatively constant in men and decreased in women after 45 years. The frequency of RM consumption was directly correlated with male gender, physical activity during work, marital status (married/common-law marriage), residence in one's own house, income level (for women) and inversely correlated with walking >=45 min during free time. Less frequent RM consumption in women was associated with the presence of carotid atherosclerotic plaques. No independent associations with chronic alimentary diseases and other risk factors for cardiovascular diseases has been found. The data obtained indicate the need to increase public awareness concerning the role of RM in the development of chronic non-communicable diseases, and to develop tools reducing RM intake and increasing share of other protein sources in the diet.