Meat consumption and meat avoidance among young people: An 11‐year longitudinal study

Abstract

This paper reports the findings of an 11‐year longitudinal study of the food preferences of first‐year social science undergraduates at a UK university. Argues that this predominantly young and female response group constitutes a “critical case” that can be used to assess broader trends in meat consumption and meat avoidance. Relatively high levels of meat avoidance (in terms of reduced consumption or vegetarianism) were detected, although in recent years the trend appears to be away from avoidance and towards an increase in the reported inclination to eat meat. An attempt is made to interpret the findings of the study within the broader context of long‐term shifts in attitudes towards meat consumption in general, and towards beef consumption in particular.

Citation

Beardsworth, A. and Bryman, A. (2004), "Meat consumption and meat avoidance among young people: An 11‐year longitudinal study", British Food Journal, Vol. 106 No. 4, pp. 313-327. https://doi.org/10.1108/00070700410529573