Food expenditure and vegetarianism - the mediating role of employment status in more sustainable and economical food choices in Spain (University of Gibraltar et al.)

This report does not contain an executive summary. Here is a summary of the key points.

• Research Goal: The study investigated the link between food expenditure, vegetarianism, and employment status in Andalusia, Spain, to understand if economic factors, rather than just ethical or environmental concerns, drive the adoption of meat-reducing diets.

• Methodology: The research was based on a representative survey of 2,400 residents in Andalusia, Spain. Data was collected on dietary identity (omnivore, flexitarian, pescatarian, lacto-ovo vegetarian, vegan), weekly food expenditure, employment status, and economic difficulty.

• Key Finding on Cost: Lacto-ovo vegetarianism was the only dietary identity significantly associated with lower food expenditure. In the regression model, identifying as lacto-ovo vegetarian predicted spending approximately €30 less per week on food compared to omnivores.

• Role of Unemployment: The study found that employment status partially mediates the relationship between lacto-ovo vegetarianism and food spending. Lacto-ovo vegetarians had the highest rate of unemployment (59%) and economic difficulty (59%) among all dietary groups.

• Economic Motivation: The findings suggest that for some, adopting a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet is not primarily an ethical or ideological choice but an economic coping strategy, particularly during periods of unemployment or financial hardship. This is framed within Self-Determination Theory as an "extrinsic motivation."

• Contrasting Diets:

  • Other meat-reducing diets like flexitarian, pescatarian, or vegan did not show a statistically significant relationship with lower food expenses.
  • Vegans reported the highest average food expenditure (€167.3 per week), possibly due to the higher cost of specialised alternative protein products. However, the vegan sample size was very small (n=28), limiting the reliability of this finding.

• Lacto-Ovo as a Budget Option: The authors theorise that lacto-ovo vegetarianism is a cost-effective option because it avoids expensive meat and fish while also sidestepping the high cost of many fortified vegan alternatives, relying instead on cheaper staples like eggs, dairy, fruits, and vegetables.

• Implications for Advocacy: The study suggests that promoting plant-based diets based on their economic advantages could be an effective strategy, especially for financially vulnerable populations. Framing vegetarianism as a practical response to economic downturns may increase its appeal and adoption.

• Long-Term Adherence: The authors question the long-term sustainability of diets adopted out of economic necessity. They suggest that for adherence to last, the initial extrinsic motivation (saving money) may need to evolve into intrinsic motivations, such as developing ethical or health-related beliefs over time.