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Public views of the benefits and barriers to the consumption of a plant-based diet
Citation
Lea, EJ and Crawford, D and Worsley, A, Public views of the benefits and barriers to the consumption of a plant-based diet, European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 60, (7) pp. 828-837. ISSN 0954-3007 (2006) [Refereed Article]
DOI: doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602387
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to examine consumers' perceived benefits and barriers to the consumption of a plant-based diet. Design: Mail survey that included questions on perceived benefits and barriers to the consumption of a plant-based diet. Setting: Victoria, Australia. Subjects: Four hundred and fifteen randomly selected Victorian adults. Results: The main perceived barrier to adoption of a plant-based diet was a lack of information about plant-based diets (42% agreement). Sex, age and education differences were present in over a quarter of the barrier items. For example, non-university-educated respondents and older people were less willing to change their current eating pattern than were university educated and younger respondents. The main benefits associated with plant-based diets were health benefits, particularly decreased saturated fat intake (79% agreement), increased fibre intake (76%), and disease prevention (70%). Age, sex and education differences with regard to benefits were apparent, although sex differences were more important than age or education differences. Conclusions: The majority of respondents perceived there to be health benefits associated with the consumption of a plant-based diet. Compared with the proportion of respondents who agreed that there were particular benefits of eating a plant-based diet, perceived barriers were relatively low. An understanding of the perceived benefits and barriers of consuming a plant-based diet will help formulate strategies that aim to influence beliefs about plant foods, plant food consumption, and, ultimately, public health. © 2006 Nature Publishing Group. All rights reserved.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Research Division: | Biomedical and Clinical Sciences |
Research Group: | Nutrition and dietetics |
Research Field: | Nutrition and dietetics not elsewhere classified |
Objective Division: | Health |
Objective Group: | Public health (excl. specific population health) |
Objective Field: | Nutrition |
UTAS Author: | Lea, EJ (Dr Emma Lea) |
ID Code: | 48830 |
Year Published: | 2006 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 105 |
Deposited By: | Menzies Institute for Medical Research |
Deposited On: | 2007-11-28 |
Last Modified: | 2011-10-04 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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