Frequency Of Meat Consumption Research Articles

‘They Only Get the Feed That Grows on Our Farm’: A Survey Experiment on Government-Subsidized Greenwashing of Swiss Meat and Agricultural Policy

Increased consumer concern about environmental issues has led to a surge in green advertising, including misleading forms known as greenwashing. Definitions of greenwashing have mostly focused on companies misleading consumers about products, and existing empirical analyses of greenwashing effects have mostly used fabricated ad materials referring to fictitious products. The objective of the present paper is to use ad material from an actual ad campaign to examine joint greenwashing, by an industry organization and a national government, of consumer products and public policies. Using an actual government-subsidized video commercial for ‘Swiss meat’ as an example, the present paper examines greenwashing targeting both consumers and citizens to influence their product choices and policy opinions. Based on an online survey of an age- and gender-representative sample (n = 637), we measured aspects of consumer knowledge that would enable the consumers to put the ad’s message in perspective, perceptions of the ad, and beliefs about Swiss meat production. Furthermore, we used a two-factorial experimental design to examine how the video commercial and objective product information affected policy opinions relative to control treatments. We find that the consumers strongly overestimated the true percentage of Swiss farms that used the environmentally friendly feeding system featured in the ad. Regarding perceptions, 52% of the respondents ‘rather’ or ‘fully’ agreed with the statement ‘the ad conveys a realistic image of Swiss meat production’, and 41% ‘rather’ or ‘fully’ agreed with the statement ‘the ad shows the production of Swiss beef as it is’. Regarding beliefs, 51% of the respondents ‘partly’, ‘rather’, or ‘fully’ agreed that ‘more meat production in Switzerland is good for the environment’. The video commercial did not influence beliefs about Swiss meat but changed policy opinions in the favor of government subsidies for the advertisement of Swiss meat. The information treatment influenced policy opinions in the opposite direction but did not decrease the effect of the misleading ad. Other significant predictors of support for increased meat subsidies included frequent meat consumption, low factual knowledge, and positive product beliefs. The results of the survey indicate that the ad campaign may have unduly influenced perceptions of Swiss meat production and public opinion about agricultural policy. The findings raise concerns about the current self-regulation of the communication industry and joint private and public advertising of Swiss agricultural products and policies.

We are a family! Exploring flexitarian households' meat reduction practices.

It is widely accepted that the (over)consumption of meat is negatively linked to environmental problems and public health issues, yet research shows that actual meat consumption remains (too) high. While most research related to the protein transition focuses on consumers' motivations, perceptions and acceptance towards plant-based meat alternatives, a clear need arises to extensively study the context in which (plant-based) meals are consumed. In this research, a generative research approach was applied to extend knowledge on flexitarian households' meat reduction practices. Participants (n=30) from different household types completed assignments with their household members to reflect on their households' meat consumption and reduction practices over the course of a full week. After this sensitizing week, participants were interviewed about their meat reduction practices. Results show that participants high in cooking skills and interest are searching for, or have developed, a practice of reformulating their meals into 'complete' or 'authentic' vegetarian meals which entails a different culinary experience compared to meat-based meals. They usually avoided meat analogues, and used products such as pulses, cheeses, nuts and herbs to create tasty and satiating 'complete' vegetarian meals. However, participants with less available resources like time and skills used meat analogues as convenient replacers of meat. Partners and children had a strong influence on the households' formation of meat reduction practices, as their preferences resulted in compromises regarding the households' meat consumption frequency and types of meals consumed. In conclusion, this research provides unique insights into flexitarian households' meat reduction practices, and fuels the discussion on the role of meat analogues and the consumers' need for 'complete' and 'authentic' vegetarian meal experiences.

Sentiments, barriers and predictors of acceptance for meat alternatives among UK meat consumers

There is a growing global demand for diets to be better for the environment and for human health. To support the shift toward sustainable diets, it is crucial to understand consumer attitudes and the barriers they face. To achieve this aim, this paper addresses the questions: What are the prevailing sentiments of UK meat consumers towards meat alternatives? What barriers do UK meat consumers face in trying and sustaining the consumption of meat alternatives? Data was obtained from 1074 UK respondents. The majority of respondents (82.4%) had tried plant-based meat alternatives, whereas most had not tried edible insects (88.8%), cultured meat (96.5%) or algae (73.7%). Sentiments towards plant-based alternatives were mainly positive while views on cultured meat, insects, and algae were more mixed or negative. Motivations for accepting and eating meat alternatives were primarily personal health benefits, animal welfare and environmental reasons in order of ranking. The results show that 18% are very likely to include meat alternatives in their future diets, followed by 39% who are open to the possibility and may consider it under the right circumstances. Ordered logistic regression identified several significant predictors for incorporating meat alternatives into future diets. Positive predictors included price competitiveness, variety, environmental motivation, health benefits, past experience with plant-based meat and algae and gender. Conversely, frequent meat consumption and safety concerns were negative predictors and reduced the odds of incorporating meat alternatives into diets. Key actions which consumers opine would encourage acceptance of meat alternatives includes educational programs, financial incentives and media campaigns with strong support for coordinated stakeholder efforts.

Challenge your customer: How businesses may trigger change in perceived barriers, capability, and consumption.

The global environmental issues require that we redesign food systems. Transitioning towards more plant-based diets is crucial, but there is a gap observed between consumers' intention and behaviour. We propose that businesses in the food sector can play a role by challenging their potential customers to overcome the gap. Drawing on the holistic COM-B model of behaviour change as well as the concept of self-nudging, we conduct an intervention study that shows how a business-driven marketing campaign that mimics challenges in the style of Veganuary could provide an opportunity for change. The mixed methods evaluation reveals that participants significantly reduced meat consumption frequency and maintained this at two months after the challenge. Perceived barriers to eating more plant-based food decreased, while perceived capability to reduce meat consumption increased. Participants talk about health and environment as motives as well as social eating contexts as barriers. discuss implications for the role of businesses and their marketing activities in the transition to a more sustainable food system.

The gut microbiome without any plant food? A case study on the gut microbiome of a healthy carnivore

Objective The carnivore diet is a ketogenic diet based exclusively on the consumption of food of animal origin. While the impact of various diets on the gut microbiome is extensively documented, the effects of a carnivore diet remain unclear. To address this gap, we conducted a pilot study on the gut microbiome of an individual following a carnivore diet and compared it with that of a subgroup of healthy individuals. Methods A stool sample was collected from a healthy 32-year-old male adhering to a carnivore diet and was sequenced using 16S DNA Amplicon Sequencing. The results were then compared to those from three control groups possessing similar anthropometric characteristics and differing in their frequency of meat consumption. Results The gut microbiome of the carnivore was dominated by the phylum Firmicutes and the genera Faecalibacterium, Blautia, unspecific Lachnospiraceae, Bacteroides, and Roseburia—bacteria known for fiber degradation. Furthermore, neither alpha- nor beta-diversity, nor the functional capacity of the gut microbiome, showed differences when compared to the control groups. Additionally, the gut microbiome of the carnivore showed the least similarities with the microbiome of the cohort consuming meat on a daily basis. Conclusions In our study, we showcase the compositional and functional characteristics of the gut microbiome in an individual on a carnivorous diet, finding no differences in comparison to a control cohort. Further research is needed to investigate the short- and long-term impacts of a carnivorous diet on gut health through cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. Significance statement To the best of our knowledge this is the first study to report on the composition of the gut microbiome of a person adhering long-term to the carnivore diet.

Intersecting perspectives: Advocating for sustainable family meals across generations

Adolescents in Germany eat fewer animal products than their parents, often for sustainability reasons. We investigated how adolescents differ from their parents' generation in sustainability food-choice motives, consumption of animal products, and corresponding behaviors such as advocating for and influencing decisions towards more sustainable family meals. In an online questionnaire, an educationally diverse sample of 500 adolescents (M = 17.9 years, range = 15–20) and 500 adults of their parents' generation (M = 52.2 years, range = 45–60) reported food-choice motives, their own and their family's diet style, how they advocate for sustainable food decisions at family meals (e.g., less meat), and how they influence different steps in family meal planning (e.g., grocery shopping). The two generations did not differ in sustainable food motives and mean consumption frequency of meat and animal products, but adolescents reported three times more often than their parents' generation to never eat meat. At shared family meals they advocated for eating plant-based substitutes (d = 0.27, p < 0.001) and other animal products (β = −0.15, p = 0.02) more often than their parents' generation, but not for eating less meat. Adolescents advocated more frequently for sustainable food decisions at shared meals the more important sustainability motives were to them (β = 0.53, p < 0.001), and the less meat (β = −0.35, p < 0.001) and fewer other animal products (β = −0.11, p = 0.015) they consumed. Adolescents motivated towards sustainability have the potential to impact the family's dietary choices through reverse socialization processes. These findings challenge current theories that suggest only parents influence their children, neglecting the role of adolescents as potential agents of change for improved family and planetary health.

The prevalence of anaemia in rural adolescent girls - A cross-sectional study to understand the sociodemographic and dietary determinants in Dharwad District, India.

Anaemia is one leading cause of morbidity among adolescent girls. Prevention, early detection, and treatment can break the intergeneration cycle of malnutrition. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of anaemia and assess its sociodemographic determinants and understand its association with the dietary pattern of rural adolescent girls. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 350 adolescent girls studying in the school of Kalgatigi Taluk, Dharwad district. The school girls were interviewed using a predesigned structured questionnaire by interview method. A food frequency questionnaire was used to assess the dietary pattern. Haemoglobin levels were estimated using Sahli's method. Data were entered in Microsoft Excel and analysed using SPSS version 19 and the Chi-square test was applied to study the significance. Rural adolescent school girls between the age group of 13-16 years were included. The prevalence of anaemia among them was found to be 47.4% and was significantly associated with the educational status of the mother, their socioeconomic status (SES), and type of diet. Vegetarian girls had a higher prevalence of anaemia. The frequency of meat and egg consumption was significantly associated with anaemia. The prevalence of anaemia was higher in thin and severely thin girls based on WHO-BMI. Anaemia in rural adolescent girls is of high burden and public health importance with a prevalence of 47.4% and significant association with dietary habits, SES, and BMI.

Predictors of Meat Reduction: The Case of Slovenia.

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.

Urinary concentrations of mineral elements and their predictors in pregnant women in Jinan, China

BackgroundThe essential mineral elements play important roles in proper growth, development and maintenance of physiological homeostasis of an organism. Women are at greater risk of mineral deficiency during pregnancy. However, the predictors of mineral element levels in pregnant women remain unclear. This study was conducted to determine the urinary levels of calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and selenium (Se) in women during early pregnancy and to explore the predictors of urinary exposure to each mineral element and high co-exposure to mineral element mixture. Methods298 pregnant women in first trimester were recruited when they attended antenatal care in a hospital in Jinan, Shandong Province, China. We collected their spot urine samples and questionnaire data on their sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle habits, food and dietary supplement intake, and residential environment. The concentrations of Ca, Fe, Cu, Mn and Se in all urine samples were measured. LASSO regression, multiple linear regression and binary logistic regression were used to analyze the predictors affecting mineral element levels. ResultsThe geometric means of creatinine-corrected Ca, Fe, Cu, Mn and Se concentrations were 99.37 mg/g, 1.75 µg/g, 8.97 µg/g, 0.16 µg/g and 16.83 µg/g creatinine, respectively. Factors that influenced the concentrations of individual mineral element were as follows: (1) Se and Ca concentrations increased with maternal age; (2) women taking tap water as family drinking water had higher Ca levels and those taking polyunsaturated fatty acids intermittently had higher Cu levels; (3) Fe was adversely related to consumption frequency of barbecued foods; (4) Pregnant women with more frequent consumption of shellfish/shrimp/crab and living near green spaces or parks had higher Mn exposure, and those with higher frequency of meat consumption had lower Mn exposure. In addition, maternal age and the frequency of egg consumption were associated with odds of exposure to a mixture of high Ca, Fe, Cu and Se. ConclusionsThe pregnant women in this study had comparable concentrations of urinary Cu and Se but lower concentrations of Ca, Fe and Mn compared with those in other areas. Predictors of urinary mineral elements included maternal age (Se and Ca), type of domestic drinking water (Ca), consumption frequency of barbecued food (Fe), polyunsaturated fatty acid use (Cu), the presence of urban green spaces or parks near the home and frequency of meat and shellfish/shrimp/crab intake (Mn). Moreover, maternal age and egg consumption frequency were significant predictors of high-level co-exposure to urinary Ca, Fe, Cu and Se.

Predictors of Eating Less Meat and More Plant-Based Food in the Polish Sample.

The study aimed to identify predictors of the intention to eat less meat and more plant-based foods, including attitudes towards eating meat, habitual meat eating, subjective norms, and self-identity. A cross-sectional study using CAWI (Computer-Assisted Web Interview) was conducted in a group of 1003 Polish adults in 2023. To measure the predictor variables, the following tools were used: Beliefs and Eating Habits Questionnaire (KomPAN), Meat Attachment Questionnaire (MAQ), and scales to measure subjective norms and self-identity. Logistic regression analysis was used to verify associations between independent variables, and the intentions to eat more plant-based food and less meat next year were treated as dependent variables. More respondents were willing to increase their consumption of plant-based foods rather than reduce their meat consumption. The intention to consume less meat and more plant foods was more prevalent among women, older people (only intention to reduce meat consumption), and better-educated people (only intention to increase plant food consumption). Habitual frequency of eating plant foods, negative feelings about meat, and environmentally oriented identities had a stimulating effect on the intention to eat more plant foods and less meat, while experiencing pleasure in eating meat had a limiting effect on the intention to eat more plant foods and less meat. In addition, the habitual frequency of meat consumption and subjective norms reduced the likelihood of eating less meat, while no predictive effect was observed for the intention to eat more plant foods. In conclusion, educational and promotional activities to raise awareness of the link between food consumption and the environment can have a strong impact on eating less meat and more plant-based food, even among those strongly accustomed to meat consumption.

PREFERENSI WARGA KOTA MATARAM TENTANG DAGING PREMIUM

This study aims to examine the preferences of residents of Mataram City, West Nusa Tenggara Province, in choosing and consuming premium beef. Premium meat has recently been produced from cattle on Sumbawa Island and also from cattle developed on Lombok Island in recent years. This study used a survey approach. Interviews were conducted with 86 small-medium income residents of Mataram with an income range of Rp 5 million - Rp 30 million per month. Respondents consisted of housewives and several men. Premium meat consumption in this study was in the form of beef purchased in a special place in fresh or processed form or in the form of premium meat enjoyed in restaurants or cafes. The results showed that the preference of Mataram City residents towards premium meat was relatively good as reflected in the recognition of residents that premium meat is classified as tender, more juice and soft. The frequency and intensity of premium meat consumption by residents of Mataram City, especially in restaurants and cafes, is still relatively limited. More than half (55.81 percent) of Mataram residents enjoy premium meat 1-5 times per month and as many as 23 percent of Mataram residents rarely enjoy premium meat. The rest of the premium meat enjoys quite intensely.

Understanding and tackling meat reduction in different cultural contexts: a segmentation study of Swiss and Vietnamese consumers.

This study aims to disclose and compare meat consumer segments in Switzerland and Vietnam, which differ in terms of their socioeconomic and cultural settings (the former is a developed country, and the latter is an emerging one) to develop a set of segment-specific recommendations that might be applied to consumption in comparable contexts, that is, in other developed countries and other emerging economies. Data were collected through two online surveys: one for Swiss residents from randomly selected households and one for Vietnamese urban residents recruited via snowball sampling. The final sample size was N = 643 for Switzerland and N = 616 for Vietnam. Hierarchical cluster analyses followed by K-means cluster analyses revealed five distinct clusters in both countries. Three clusters were common to both countries: meat lovers (21% in Switzerland and 19% in Vietnam), proactive consumers (22% in Switzerland and 14% in Vietnam) and suggestible consumers (19% in Switzerland and 25% in Vietnam). Two were specific to each country, namely traditional (19%) and basic (21%) consumers in Switzerland and confident (16%) and anxious (26%) consumers in Vietnam. Relying on voluntary actions, nudging techniques, private initiatives and consumers' sense of responsibility will certainly be useful but will nevertheless be insufficient to achieve a planetary health diet within the given timeframe (the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development). Governments will have no choice but to activate all levers within their sphere of influence - including regulatory measures - and oblige private sector actors to commit to the measures imposed on them. A binding international agenda with common objectives and measures is a judicious approach. Unlike most previous studies, which focused on meat consumption intensity and frequency or diet type to segment consumers, our approach, based on psychographic profiles, allows the identification of segments that share common drivers and barriers and thus the development of better-targeted measures to reduce meat consumption.

Livestock and Pets: Validation of 72 Pairs of Photographs Depicting Dogs, Cats, Miniature Rabbits, Pigs, and Cattle

ABSTRACT This study had a correlational design and aimed to develop and validate a database of dual-perspective (entire face and ¾ face) face-focused photographs depicting pets (dogs, cats, miniature rabbits) and livestock animals (pigs and cattle). Participants (n = 268, 82% women, M age = 28.2, SD = 8.5) viewed 72 pairs of photographs and evaluated each animal’s similarity across two photographs, as well as their valence, typicality, familiarity, cuteness, and dangerousness. The results confirmed that livestock animals received lower ratings in terms of similarity across the two photographs and were perceived as less positively valenced, less typical, less familiar, less cute, and more dangerous compared with pets. Furthermore, individual characteristics were found to be related to the perception of animals. Compared with non-owners, pet owners rated both livestock and pets more positively valenced and cuter. Additionally, the frequency of meat consumption was associated with perceiving livestock animals as less positively valenced, less cute, and more dangerous. The database provides realistic and valid stimuli, which have the potential to facilitate investigations into animal perception and recognition within the context of human–animal relationships.

Factors influencing the willingness to pay a price premium for red meat with potential to improve consumer wellness in Australia and the United States of America

This study determined consumers' attitudes towards physical and mental wellness related to red meat consumption and their willingness to pay (WTP) more for the meat. In 2019, two online surveys of red meat eaters were conducted in the USA (n = 1000) and Australia (n = 523) using commercial platforms. Results showed that over 90% of respondents indicated interest in purchasing red meat to improve their wellness status. Additionally, about 85% indicated their WTP more for red meat for its wellness benefits, with Americans indicating stronger willingness than Australian respondents. The potential of meat consumption to improve overall wellness among red meat eaters was a dominant factor influencing consumers' WTP more. Other factors that increased WTP included frequency of meat consumption, physical exercise, sleep quality, number of children in a household, partnership status, and economic position. Outcomes from this study highlight a unique opportunity for the meat industry to position meat on its qualities that include wellness improvement if backed up with robust scientific evidence.

Motivators and barriers to plant-based product consumption across Aotearoa New Zealand flexitarians

Limited knowledge exists concerning Aotearoa New Zealand (A-NZ) flexitarians and their respective motivators and barriers towards consumption of novel plant-based products (PBPs) heralded as aids for dietary meat reduction. This study aimed to determine if A-NZ flexitarians, who have tried novel PBPs, can be segmented based on different motivators and barriers to meat reduction and PBP consumption, if the consumer profile of the different segments varies according to identified gender, generation group, neophobia and meat and PBP consumption frequency. It also aimed to identify sensory characteristics novel PBPs need to possess to be attractive to A-NZ flexitarians and if these vary across segments. PBP-consuming flexitarians (n = 584), stratified according to age (Millennial/Gen X), identified gender and meat consumption frequency, completed an online survey regarding a) their level of agreement regarding statements related to factors driving PBP consumption and flexitarianism in general, and b) their satisfaction with the sensory experience of consuming current PBPs. ‘Tastes good’ was the top-rated factor for selecting PBPs for all consumers, but most were dissatisfied with the sensory characteristics of current PBPs. K-means cluster analysis identified three flexitarian segments based on similarities and differences in key motivations and barriers to consume PBPs. Attitudes and behaviours related to nutrition/health, and social status attained from eating both PBPs and meat products, accounted for most variation across the respondents. Overall, higher food neophobia was associated with higher PBP consumption, suggesting that neophobia itself is not necessarily a barrier to PBP consumption in A-NZ flexitarians. Improving the sensory profiles of PBPs whilst delivering nutritional requirements presented as key considerations for future product development and research. This research highlights the importance of understanding the distinct values, attitudes and behaviours of different flexitarian groups as opposed to generalised research aimed at flexitarians per se.

Prevalence of Hyperuricemia and Its Risk Factors Among Residents of a Rural Field Practice Area in Belagavi, India

Background: Serum Uric Acid (SUA) is often overlooked in primary healthcare, primarily associated with Gouty Arthritis. However, the literature indicates its links to dyslipidaemia, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hyperuricemia and its associated risk factors among rural residents. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to May 2023, involving 300 individuals aged ≥30 during routine NCD screening. Data on socio-demographics, meat consumption habits, thiazide diuretic usage, and anthropometric measurements were collected. Blood samples were obtained for SUA analysis after informed consent. Results: Participants had a median age of 45 years, BMI of 25.41 kg/m², and SUA level of 5 mg/dl. The study revealed an overall hyperuricemia prevalence of 32.7%. While no significant associations were found between hyperuricemia and the variables analysed, a statistically significant positive linear correlation emerged between SUA levels and waist or hip circumference. Binary logistic regression showed a significant association between hyperuricemia and the frequency of meat consumption. Conclusion: This study suggests that SUA can serve as a valuable tool in primary healthcare. Identifying and treating individuals with hyperuricemia, and educating those at risk, can help prevent future vascular events.

Does livestock ownership predict animal-source food consumption frequency among children aged 6-24 months and their mothers in the rural Dale district, southern Ethiopia?

Animal-source foods are food items that come from animals. Animal-source foods provide a variety of micronutrients that plant-source foods cannot provide to the same extent and without extra precaution. Milk, eggs, poultry, flesh meat and fish are animal-source foods mainly used in Ethiopia. Low animal-source food consumption among children and mothers is a great concern in many low-income settings. This study aimed to describe animal-source food consumption frequencies among children aged 6-24 months and their mothers in rural southern Ethiopia where livestock farming is very common. We also analysed the association between livestock ownership and animal-source food consumption among children and mothers. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 851 randomly selected households with child-mother pairs from August to November 2018. The study was conducted in the rural Dale District, southern Ethiopia. Structured and pre-tested questionnaires were used to collect data on mother and child information, livestock ownership, and animal-source foods consumption frequencies. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was used to describe associations between animal-source foods consumption and livestock ownership. Nearly, three-quarters (74.1%) of the households owned cows, and a quarter (25%) had goats or sheep. Dairy, egg and meat consumption among children during the past month was 91.8%, 83.0% and 26.2%, respectively. Likewise, the consumption of dairy, eggs and meat among mothers was 96.0%, 49.5% and 34.0%, respectively. The percentage of children who had not consumed any animal-source foods during the month prior to our survey was 6.6%, and the figure was 2.2% for the mothers. Dairy consumption was 1.8 times higher among children (aOR = 1.8, 95% CI [1.3-2.5]) and 3.0 times higher among mothers (aOR = 3.0, 95% CI [2.2-4.2]) in households that kept cows than in households without cows. The egg consumption frequency was positively associated with hen and goat/sheep ownership for both children and mothers. Meat consumption frequency among children was negatively associated with cow ownership (aOR = 0.66, 95% CI [0.45-0.95]); however, cow ownership was not associated with meat consumption among mothers. Dairy products were common animal-source foods consumed by young children and mothers in the study area. However, meat consumption was low among children and mothers. Strategies like promoting the keeping of goats/sheep and hens to improve complementary feeding and mothers' nutrition are warranted in the study area.

Association between self-reported food intake and subjective sleep quality among truck drivers in a city in Southern Brazil.

Sleep is an activity of great importance for maintaining the homeostasis of the human body and some components may interfere with the quality of sleep, including the pattern of food consumption. Truck drivers may constitute a population particularly sensitive to this association, since they are routinely exposed to situations that may interfere with food intake and sleep quality. Thus, this study investigated the association between self-reported food intake and sleep quality in truck drivers. This was a cross-sectional study, with drivers who traveled in a city in southern Brazil. Food intake was evaluated through the average of food intake over the last 30 days. Food intake was evaluated in two forms: division in food groups and evaluation only tryptophan-rich foods. Sleep quality was measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). In addition to the descriptive analysis, to identify possible associations between food intake and sleep quality, linear regression, crude and adjusted for confounding variables, were performed to obtain the Beta and Beta adjusted (Betaadj), respectively, and p-value. A total of 352 truck drivers, mostly males, mean age 48.4 (±11.6) years, with a frequent consumption of meat, fruits, vegetables, sweets, and energy drinks participated in this study. The frequent consumption of dairy products (Betaadj: --0.614. p-value 0.004) and fruits (Betaadj: --0.342. p-value 0.034) was associated with lower PSQI score, while the consumption of energy drinks was associated with a higher PSQI score (Betaadj: 0.923. p-value <0.001). The frequency of consumption of tryptophan-rich foods was not associated with sleep quality. Fruits and dairy products are associated with better subjective sleep quality, while energy drinks are associated with worse sleep quality in truck drivers, whereas dietary tryptophan-rich foods intake was not associated with sleep quality.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Anemia in Adolescent Girls in Donggala District, Central Sulawesi

This study aims to assess the prevalence and risk factors of anemia in adolescent girls in Donggala District. It employed an observational analytical study design with a cross-sectional approach. The research was conducted in Senior High Schools (SMA) and Islamic Senior High Schools (Madrasah Aliyah) in Donggala District in May 2023. The sample included 428 respondents. Hemoglobin levels were measured by the laboratory staff of the Central Sulawesi Health Department. Respondents provided data through Kobocollect: https://ee.kobotoolbox.org/x/uZVqfjnh. Respondent characteristics included age, the occupation of both parents, family income, upper arm circumference, hemoglobin levels, body mass index, menstrual status, consumption of iron supplements, anemia education and knowledge, medical conditions, smoking status, physical activity status, and the frequency of iron-rich food intake (fish, eggs, meat, and milk). Data analysis was performed using percentages and RR (95% CI) with SPSS 22.0. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Poltekkes Kemenkes Palu with approval number 0016/KEPK-KPK/I/2023, and research permission was granted by the Central Sulawesi Provincial Government, Regional Unity of Community and Political Affairs, with approval number 070/0409/Bid.III-BKBPD/2023. The research results indicated a prevalence of anemia risk among adolescents in Donggala District at 9.8%. Risk factors included upper arm circumference &lt;23.5 cm, a history of kidney disease, limited knowledge of anemia, and infrequent meat consumption. The researchers recommend that adolescents increase their food intake to improve upper arm circumference, manage dietary patterns for those with kidney disease, enhance knowledge about anemia, and increase meat consumption frequency.

Tastiness of meat and plant protein foods are associated with political partisanship and may be influenced by partisan messaging

Taste is a frequently cited barrier to greater adoption of plant-based foods. Many person-related factors that moderate the acceptance of plant-based foods (e.g., environmental concerns, the cultural value of meat, etc.) are also associated with political ideologies. Although political affiliation is an increasingly prominent personal identity, its involvement in the acceptance of plant-based diets is vastly understudied. To test our hypothesis that political leaning influences acceptance of plant-based foods, we designed two consumer studies to assess 1) differences in meat and plant-based food liking and behavioral intentions between members of different political parties in the United States and 2) the impact of a novel messaging strategy – partisan endorsement of plant-based recommendations – on expected taste (online survey) and experienced taste (central location test). Respondents identifying as Democrats reported higher expected taste, purchase intention, consumption intention, and eating frequency of plant protein foods, while Republicans reported higher expected meat tastiness, meat consumption intention, and meat consumption frequency. However, we found a limited effect of partisan endorsement on expected and experienced taste of plant-based foods. Notably, endorsement of plant-based foods from party leaders that matched a participant’s political affiliation decreased the taste liking of a beef/pork meatball. Factors such as moral satisfaction, meat attachment, and social norms differed by political affiliation and these factors were associated with expected and/or experienced taste of both meat and plant protein foods. Accounting for political affiliations may enhance targeted strategies for plant-based food promotion and thus support acceptance of this healthy and sustainable food option.