Meat consumption has considerable effects not only on our health but also on the environment. Recognizing people's attachment to meat is key to shaping effective dietary interventions aimed at reducing its intake. A recent study by researchers aimed to tackle this issue by translating and validating the Meat Attachment Questionnaire (MAQ) for use among French residents.
The MAQ was originally developed to gauge individual feelings and attitudes toward meat consumption. It identifies four dimensions of attachment: Hedonism, Affinity, Entitlement, and Dependence. The researchers undertook their study across three distinct phases: translating the questionnaire, pretesting its validity through cognitive interviews, and then validating the tool with general practice patients.
Notably, meat plays a prominent role globally, with individuals consuming approximately 65 kilograms annually on average within France, higher than recommended health guidelines of 36 kilograms per person per year. While meat is rich in protein and other nutrients, excessive intake is linked to various health risks including cardiovascular diseases and increased mortality rates, as well as having significant negative impacts on the environment, including greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss.
Through their rigorous methodology, the researchers began with translating the original English version of the MAQ, which was initially constructed from the Portuguese version by the MAQ's original creators. The translation process involved collaboration between professional translators and bilingual researchers to guarantee accuracy and cultural relevance.
Following translation, cognitive interviews were conducted with general practice patients to assess the questionnaire's face validity. Participants reflected on their interpretation of the questions, ensuring they understood them as intended. This phase allowed researchers to refine the questionnaire and achieve broad inclusivity by including diverse participant demographics.
The final testing of the French MAQ was conducted among 822 general practice patients, yielding promising results. The questionnaire maintained strong internal consistency with Cronbach’s alpha values exceeding the acceptable threshold of 0.7, which demonstrates reliability across the four dimensions. The model's fit for the data also proved satisfactory, with RMSEA and CFI indicating good warning signs for its efficacy.
Importantly, the validated French version consists of 17 items, accommodating one additional item stemming from player modifications during cognitive interviews. The revised instrument captures detailed dimensions of meat attachment, reflecting varying motivations among individuals.
This new tool provides not only insights for researchers but also significant potential for use by general practice physicians. By employing the MAQ, medical professionals can identify patient attachment levels to meat, which may guide personalized recommendations and conversations concerning nutritional choices.
The research contributes to the broader narrative of planetary health and public health strategies, highlighting the dual benefits of reducing meat consumption: improving individual health outcomes and mitigating environmental damage. With its brief completion time and ease of integration within clinical settings, the French MAQ serves as promising resource for engaging patients about their dietary habits.
Overall, the comprehensive validation of the French MAQ marks key progress toward fostering dietary shifts within the French population, with substantive applications for public health interventions and general practice alike.