Interventions that influence animal-product consumption: A meta-review

Emily A.C. Grundy, Peter Slattery, Alexander K. Saeri, Kieren Watkins, Thomas Houlden, Neil Farr, Henry Askin, Joannie Lee, Alex Mintoft-Jones, Sophia Cyna, Alyssa Dziegielewski, Romy Gelber, Amy Rowe, Maya B. Mathur, Shane Timmons, Kun Zhao, Matti Wilks, Jacob R. Peacock, Jamie Harris, Daniel L. RosenfeldChris Bryant, David Moss, Michael Zorker

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

20 Citations (SciVal)

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 languageEnglish
Article number100111
JournalFuture Foods
Volume5
Early online date29 Dec 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 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

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