Motivations for Plant-Based Diets: Italian Version of the Vegetarian Eating Motives Inventory and Relationships with Self-Identity and Food Consumption

The paper describes two studies aimed at validating the Italian version of the Vegetarian Eating Motives Inventory (VEMI; Hopwood et al. PLoS One55:e0230609, 2020), and to deepen the relationships between vegetarian motives (i.e., animal rights, environmental and health motives) and some variables scarcely considered in previous research: meat, fruit and vegetable consumption, intention to restrict meat consumption, healthy eating, pro-environmental and meat-eating self-identity. The first study tested the validity of the VEMI three-correlated factor model, measurement invariance across gender and status groups (i.e., university students and non-student adults), mean differences in VEMI scores across groups, and test-retest reliability of the scale. The second study explored the relationships among vegetarian motives, consumption intentions and behaviors, and self-identity appraisals. Results supported structural validity, invariance, and stability of the VEMI scores, as well as the hypothesized mean differences and correlations with other variables. Regression analyses revealed that the animal rights motive was largely independent of the outcome variables, whereas the environmental motive was related to nearly all outcome variables. It was the only motive associated with meat consumption variables. Health motive was strongly related to healthy-eating self-identity but was independent of meat consumption variables. Overall, the motives underlying dietary choices aligned with distinct self-identities. In conclusion, the Italian version of the VEMI can be used confidently for research and interventions. It offers a valid tool for scholars and practitioners interested in the growing health-and environment-related debate on reducing red meat consumption in favor of a plant-based diet.