Factors shaping the adoption of sustainable vegan diets

Abstract

The quality and choices of food contribute significantly to human well-being and support the development of healthy communities worldwide. Despite being the world's largest vegetarian nation, India predominantly follows lacto-vegetarianism, allowing dairy consumption and creating a distinct dietary landscape shaped by influences from religious, social, and cultural beliefs. This complexity, where dairy and cultural-religious factors play pivotal roles, makes India a compelling and unique case for understanding the intricacies of adopting vegan dietary preferences. In the present study, an integrated model derived from the health belief model (HBM), the value attitude behavior (VAB) model, and social stigma was adopted as the theoretical framework. The study analyses the interactive effect of perceived benefits, barriers, environmental beliefs, health beliefs, and anti-speciesism values, with the novel inclusion of social stigma as an independent variable affecting attitudes and intentions toward adopting a vegan diet. To achieve its objective, the study employed a quantitative methodology, recording consumers' responses through a structured questionnaire. The analysis encompassed 504 valid responses from Indian consumers from diverse backgrounds and varied locations. The result unveiled several noteworthy and unique trends. It was found that perceived benefits had a positive impact, while perceived barriers had a negative impact on the health beliefs associated with a vegan diet. Environmental beliefs, health beliefs, and anti-speciesism values exhibited a positive influence on individuals' attitudes toward adopting a vegan diet. Conversely, social stigma had a negative impact on attitudes toward a vegan diet. Attitude emerged as a pivotal mediator, connecting the social stigma to the vegan diet adoption behavior. The findings of the study offer valuable insights for policymakers, manufacturers, and marketers seeking to encourage the adoption of vegan diets in countries with predominantly vegetarian populations. Additionally, the study puts forth actionable strategies, outlined as implications to promote the widespread adoption of the vegan diet.