Family and Cultural Perceptions About Meat Consumption among Hispanic/Latino and White Adults in the United States

ABSTRACT

The study examines the extent to which Hispanic/Latino Americans and non-Hispanic White Americans report that meat is an important aspect of their cultural beliefs and practices. An online national survey was completed using quota sampling to recruit approximately equal groups of U.S. Hispanic/Latino and non-Hispanic White Americans (n = 512). A path model predicting willingness to reduce meat consumption was estimated. Hispanic/Latino Americans viewed meat as a more integral aspect of their cultural food practices, and reported that meat dishes comprise a higher percentage of their culture’s traditional foods. Cultural beliefs were associated with meat consumption and willingness to reduce meat consumption.

KEYWORDS:

• Diet
• meat
• ethnicity
• culture
• family

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author contributions

ME, JP, BT, GZ, EH, and MC designed the survey. ME and JP coordinated data collection. ME and JP analyzed the data. ME wrote the initial manuscript draft. All authors reviewed and commented on subsequent drafts of the manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

No competitive grants or other support was received.