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Teixeira CD, Marchioni DM, Motta VWDL, Chaves VM, Gomes SM, Jacob MCM. Flexitarians in Brazil: Who are they, what do they eat, and why? Appetite 2024; 192:107093. [PMID: 37923061 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2023.107093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we conducted the first scientific investigation focusing on Brazilian flexitarians, aiming to characterize their socio-economic and demographic profiles, motivations for adopting flexitarianism, the frequency of animal-based meat consumption, and the primary meat substitutes they consume. To accomplish this, we distributed an online questionnaire with the assistance of university students and researchers from various regions of the country. Data were collected from 1029 individuals in Brazil who self-identified as flexitarians. Our findings reveal that the flexitarian dietary model is primarily adopted by women, constituting 76% of the sample (n = 786). Their motivations include concerns about the environmental impact of meat consumption (n = 361, 35%), personal health (n = 344, 33%), and animal welfare (n = 219, 21%). Flexitarians exhibit varying consumption patterns, which can be categorized into three groups: light flexitarians (consuming meat 36 times a week), medium flexitarians (consuming meat 7 times a week), and heavy flexitarians (consuming meat 4 times a week). The flexitarian dietary pattern is characterized by reduced beef consumption (less than 2 times per week) and higher consumption of chicken (3 times per week). It is complemented by plant-based protein sources and eggs as the primary meat substitutes. The recognition of legumes as the principal meat substitutes opens avenues for an expanded discussion on sustainable food systems and alternative meat products in Brazil. This provides opportunities to enhance the availability and accessibility of these foods and to develop nutritional interventions that prioritize plant-based proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla D Teixeira
- Graduate Program in Social Sciences, Center for Human Sciences, Letters and Arts, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av. Senador Salgado Filho, s/n, Lagoa Nova, 59078-970, Natal, RN, Brazil.
| | - Dirce Maria Marchioni
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, Av Dr Arnaldo 715, 01246-904, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Virginia W de L Motta
- Program in Nutrition, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av. Senador Salgado Filho, s/n, Lagoa Nova, 59078-970, Natal, Brazil.
| | - Viviany M Chaves
- Graduate Program in Social Sciences, Center for Human Sciences, Letters and Arts, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av. Senador Salgado Filho, s/n, Lagoa Nova, 59078-970, Natal, RN, Brazil.
| | - Sávio M Gomes
- Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Paraíba, Street Tabelião Stanislau Eloy, s/n, Castelo Branco, 58050-585, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.
| | - Michelle C M Jacob
- LabNutrir, Department, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av. Senador Salgado Filho, s/n, Lagoa Nova, 59078-970, Natal, RN, Brazil.
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