Replacing traditional proteins with alternative protein foods: Results of two systematic reviews on psychosocial and environmental determinants
1
SWPS University, Warsaw, Poland
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A337
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Sustainable dietary changes, such as replacing traditional proteins with alternative protein food (APF) based on plants, microorganisms, fungi or insects, requires changing consumers beliefs and motivations, as well as presence of social and physical facilitators in the environment. This study investigates (i) psychological and social determinants of APF intake and (ii) characteristics of physical environment structures (e.g., supermarkets, restaurants, online vendors) that act as barriers or facilitators of APF choices.
METHODS:
13 databases were searched in two preregistered systematic reviews (#CRD42023388700 and #CRD42023388694). A total of 28 reviews were included to identify psychosocial determinants and 36 original studies addressing build food environment were analyzed. Risk of bias was evaluated with ROBIS and Joanna Briggs Institute quality evaluation tools.
RESULTS:
Psychosocial determinants of APF intake may differ depending on the APF sources. For plant-based APF choices, consistent support was obtained for associations with: capabilities (e.g., cooking skills), familiarity with APF, consumers' beliefs (health-related, pro-environmental, and sustainability benefits, animal welfare), younger age, and higher education. For insect-based APF intake, consistent support was obtained for APF knowledge, APF familiarity, positive social and cultural norms, low technology distrust, perceived health benefits and risks, perceived pro-environmental and sustainability benefits, emotions (curiosity, neophilia, disgust), male gender, and younger age. Environmental barriers to regular AFP intake refer to a mismatch between retailers’ actions of making APF available in one type of environmental structure (e-commerce), and consumers’ preference for availability in other structures (supermarkets, local groceries). Effects of social factors are moderated by the type of APF and the environmental structure. For example, in restaurants, masculinity-related social norms act as barriers for plant-based APF choices, but not for insect-based APF intake.
CONCLUSIONS:
Recognizing differences in potential determinants across various APF sources is essential for designing environment-matching interventions that aim to mainstream sustainable diets, rich in alternative proteins.
Sustainable dietary changes, such as replacing traditional proteins with alternative protein food (APF) based on plants, microorganisms, fungi or insects, requires changing consumers beliefs and motivations, as well as presence of social and physical facilitators in the environment. This study investigates (i) psychological and social determinants of APF intake and (ii) characteristics of physical environment structures (e.g., supermarkets, restaurants, online vendors) that act as barriers or facilitators of APF choices.
METHODS:
13 databases were searched in two preregistered systematic reviews (#CRD42023388700 and #CRD42023388694). A total of 28 reviews were included to identify psychosocial determinants and 36 original studies addressing build food environment were analyzed. Risk of bias was evaluated with ROBIS and Joanna Briggs Institute quality evaluation tools.
RESULTS:
Psychosocial determinants of APF intake may differ depending on the APF sources. For plant-based APF choices, consistent support was obtained for associations with: capabilities (e.g., cooking skills), familiarity with APF, consumers' beliefs (health-related, pro-environmental, and sustainability benefits, animal welfare), younger age, and higher education. For insect-based APF intake, consistent support was obtained for APF knowledge, APF familiarity, positive social and cultural norms, low technology distrust, perceived health benefits and risks, perceived pro-environmental and sustainability benefits, emotions (curiosity, neophilia, disgust), male gender, and younger age. Environmental barriers to regular AFP intake refer to a mismatch between retailers’ actions of making APF available in one type of environmental structure (e-commerce), and consumers’ preference for availability in other structures (supermarkets, local groceries). Effects of social factors are moderated by the type of APF and the environmental structure. For example, in restaurants, masculinity-related social norms act as barriers for plant-based APF choices, but not for insect-based APF intake.
CONCLUSIONS:
Recognizing differences in potential determinants across various APF sources is essential for designing environment-matching interventions that aim to mainstream sustainable diets, rich in alternative proteins.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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