Family and Cultural Perceptions About Meat Consumption among Hispanic/Latino and White Adults in the United States
Morgan E. Ellithorpe, Bruno Takahashi, Geri Alumit Zeldes, Elizabeth Dorrance Hall, Manuel Chávez, Julie Plasencia
Abstract
The study examines the extent to which Hispanic/Latino Americans and non-Hispanic White Americans report that meat is an important aspect of their cultural beliefs and practices. An online national survey was completed using quota sampling to recruit approximately equal groups of U.S. Hispanic/Latino and non-Hispanic White Americans (n = 512). A path model predicting willingness to reduce meat consumption was estimated. Hispanic/Latino Americans viewed meat as a more integral aspect of their cultural food practices, and reported that meat dishes comprise a higher percentage of their culture’s traditional foods. Cultural beliefs were associated with meat consumption and willingness to reduce meat consumption.