Meat consumers and non-meat consumers in Germany: a characterisationbased on results of the German National Nutrition Survey II

Abstract

Meat consumption in high-income countries is increasingly discussed due to its impact on environment and health as well as ethical considerations.The present paper aims to provide information on meat consumption behaviour, sociodemographic factors related to meat consumption and its associa-tions with health and nutritional behaviour, based on the German National Nutrition Survey II. For 12 915 participants aged 18–80 years, food consump-tion was assessed by two 24-h recalls and further data by interviews. Participants were distinguished in non-meat consumers and meat consumers; meatconsumers were further differentiated as low and high meat consumers (<86 g/d and≥86 g/d). Group differences were analysed using binary logistic andlinear regression models. More non-meat consumers were found among women, young and more educated persons. They showed equal or more preferablehealth characteristics, had a similar energy intake but ate more plant-based foods compared with meat consumers. More high meat consumers were foundamong men, young and middle-aged and lower-educated persons. Compared with low meat consumers, they showed equal or less preferable health char-acteristics, had a higher energy intake and ate more potatoes and sauces/spices and less of most other food groups in relation to their energy intake.To conclude, sociodemographic groups differ in their meat consumption and differences in meat consumption go together with differences in healthbehaviour and other food consumption.