Abstract
Transitioning toward plant-based diets can alleviate health and sustainability challenges. However, research on interventions that influence animal-product consumption remains fragmented and inaccessible to researchers and practitioners. We conducted an overview of systematic reviews, also known as a meta-review. We searched five databases for reviews that examined interventions that influence (increase or decrease) the consumption of animal products. We quantitatively summarised results using individual studies' directions of effect because reviews rarely reported effect sizes of primary studies. Eighteen reviews met inclusion criteria, 12 of which examined interventions intended to decrease animal-product consumption and 6 of which examined interventions intended to increase animal-product consumption. In total, only two reviews conducted quantitative meta-analyses. Across all reviews, vote counting indicated that providing information on the environmental impact of meat consumption may reduce consumption, with 10 of 11 estimates suggesting reduced consumption (91%, 95% CI [62.3%, 98.4%]; p = .012). Providing information on the health consequences, emphasising social norms, and reducing meat portion sizes also appeared promising, albeit with more limited evidence. Reviews examining interventions that decreased consumption predominately focused on meat (10/12 reviews). Future reviews should conduct quantitative syntheses where appropriate and examine interventions that influence the consumption of animal products other than meat.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 100111 |
Journal | Future Foods |
Volume | 5 |
Early online date | 29 Dec 2021 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 30 Jun 2022 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:We thank Annet Hoek and Jo Anderson for their contributions to the research direction of this project and the manuscript. This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. Ethics approval was not sought for this review given that this is a review of existing research. The protocol and data for this review are available on the Open Science Framework: bit.ly/OSF-meta-review
Keywords
- Animal products
- Behaviour change
- Food choice
- Nutrition
- Planetary health
- Plant-based diet
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Food Science