‘Going Vegan Or Vegetarian: Barriers And Strategies On The Path To Success’

The purpose of this Faunalytics study is to provide solid data for advocates about how to help new veg*ns maintain their change of lifestyle. This is the third report in a three-part series.

JO ANDERSON: The third and final report in the series describing the results of Faunalytics’ longitudinal study of new vegans and vegetarians (veg*ns). It focuses on the critical issue of barriers and supports facing people who start a new veg*n diet, as well as the effectiveness of various strategies…

The purpose of this study is to provide solid data for advocates about how to help new veg*ns maintain their change of lifestyle. This is the third report in a three-part series. Previously:

• The first report focused on overall levels of success and described the variety of ways that people transition to veg*nism.
• The second report looked at how people’s motivations and influences for starting the diet related to their success over the first six months…

This study includes 222 members of the general public in the U.S. and Canada, all of whom had started transitioning to a vegan or vegetarian diet within the past two months…

The Level of Commitment section of the first report shows that more than 90% of the sample said they would probably or definitely continue their new diet change permanently. This sample should therefore be considered most representative of people who have already moved beyond a simple interest or desire to change into the stage where they are ready to actively work toward a veg*n goal. Stages of change are considered in more detail in the second report…

Key Findings:

1. The worst barriers to diet change were feeling unhealthy, not seeing veg*nism as part of one’s identity, and believing society perceives veg*nism negatively…

2. Cost-reduction strategies were the most useful type of strategy across all barriers…

3. Strategies to increase or maintain one’s motivation to continue the veg*n diet were also very helpful…

4. Health-promoting strategies were useful, but feeling unhealthy remained a challenging barrier…

5. Social strategies were helpful for people with one or more social barriers…

6. Strategies targeting ability barriers were somewhat effective, but not for people who needed the help most…

7. Though barriers can be a challenge, many people are able to lessen or overcome them with time…

Recommendations:

1. Encourage all new veg*ns to set themselves up for success by thinking about strategies they can use when they face challenges…

2. Suggest strategy types according to which barriers they help with…

3. Acknowledge, validate, and continue to research challenging barriers that don’t respond easily to personal strategies…

4. Advocate for equal access to affordable and healthy veg*n food…

This project has produced a huge amount of data, all of which will be posted on the Open Science Framework once we have completed our own analyses and publications. SOURCE…

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