Richter Almut, Wagner Julia, Moosburger Ramona, Mensink Gert B M, Loss Julika
Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany.
Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry, and Epidemiology - IBE, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
PLoS One. 2025 Aug 13;20(8):e0328346. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0328346. eCollection 2025.
Individual meat consumption in Germany has fallen slightly in recent years, but still exceeds the recommended quantities. High meat consumption has negative impacts both on human health and the environment. This study intends to identify which population groups in Germany may have already reduced their meat consumption, based on which motives, and to capture the willingness to limit future consumption.
Analyses are based on representative data from 3,178 adults living in Germany, collected in a cross-sectional, standardized telephone survey (German Health Update) in 2022. Differences between population groups are identified using chi-squared tests and logistic regression models. Results are presented with 95% confidence limits.
72% of the population intentionally avoid meat consumption at least occasionally. About half of the population intends to eat less meat in the future or already never eat meat. 23% have no current or future intention to limit their meat consumption. Women and higher educated persons more often claim to intentionally avoid meat consumption, currently and for the future. Those who currently eat meat less often are more likely to intend further reduction compared to those who eat meat frequently. The predominant motive for reducing meat consumption is "health" followed by "climate and environmental protection" and "animal welfare". Climate protection as a motive for reducing meat consumption is more often mentioned by young persons and women, whereas health benefits are more important for persons aged 65 years and older.
A large proportion of the population already cuts down on meat consumption, at least occasionally. On the other hand, consumption levels in Germany are still very high. Climate and environment protection already play an important role for meat reduction, and may help leverage the transition to a more plant-based and healthier diet in the population.
近年来，德国人均肉类消费量略有下降，但仍超过推荐量。高肉类消费对人类健康和环境均有负面影响。本研究旨在确定德国哪些人群可能已经减少了肉类消费，基于何种动机，并了解其限制未来消费的意愿。
分析基于2022年一项横断面标准化电话调查（德国健康更新调查）收集的3178名德国成年人的代表性数据。使用卡方检验和逻辑回归模型确定人群组之间的差异。结果以95%置信区间呈现。
72%的人口至少偶尔会有意避免食用肉类。约一半的人口打算未来少吃肉或已经从不吃肉。23%的人目前或未来无意限制肉类消费。女性和受过高等教育的人更常声称目前和未来会有意避免食用肉类。与经常吃肉的人相比，目前吃肉较少的人更有可能打算进一步减少肉类消费。减少肉类消费的主要动机是“健康”，其次是“气候和环境保护”以及“动物福利”。年轻人和女性更常提及气候保护作为减少肉类消费的动机，而健康益处对65岁及以上的人更为重要。
很大一部分人口已经至少偶尔减少了肉类消费。另一方面，德国的消费水平仍然很高。气候和环境保护在减少肉类消费方面已经发挥了重要作用，并可能有助于推动民众向更以植物为基础且更健康的饮食转变。
