Culture of meat consumption at different nationalities

Meat consumption is still seen in many cultural traditions as “masculine”. A study on cultural influences on the eating behavior has now investigated how such value judgments affect on eating habits of the population.

Vegetarian and vegan diets are getting popular. But many people do not want to give up meat, and especially many men. A US study has now watch how education and cultural influences affect the consumption of meat. It turned out that the idea that a high meat consumption is a key component of masculinity, found various degrees of seriousness in different cultural traditions. In most cases, men are under great influence, it is harder to move them to a poorer meat diet.

For the study were chosen men and women between 18 and 35 years of age who are either born in the Netherlands or immigrated with her parents in the Netherlands before the age of eight, and they were interviewed about their eating habits. Participants include: Adult children of native US, adult children of Chinese immigrants and adult children from Turkish.

For US men meat consumption is very important.

For China man meat consumption is not so important. Respondents with China ancestors, the attitudes and eating habits of the two sexes differ relatively little. The men in this group prefer, compared with men in the other two groups, rather small portions of meat and are also more willing to reduce their meat consumption. The traditional link between meat consumption and masculinity no longer seems to be as pronounced in children of native China.

The situation is different obviously in the offspring of American immigrants. They account for nearly all to consume no meat substitutes. In addition, the men in this group show a preference for a significantly higher weekly meat consumption. They show only a weak willingness to forego for the sake of the environment or for the sake of animals. On these two points they differ markedly from American-born women.

Cultural influences prevents changes in dietary habits.

The children of Turkish immigrants make up the midfield between the two groups. The preference for large portions of meat is less pronounced among them, and they show a greater willingness to reduce their meat consumption. Obesity is significantly less common among men in this group than among the children of immigrants of  US-origin.

But there no need to forget that influence of fashion to vegetarians must be reviewed from the point of your origins and personal needed. So dont hurry up to become a vegetarian. And previously better to have consultation with nutritionist.