Perceptions of meat and dairy foods among college students at a land-grant institution: an observational, analytical...

Objective: To better understand college students' perceptions of animal product consumption, this study's purpose was to examine associations between student characteristics and attitudes toward red meat, dairy consumption, and plant-based alternatives. Participants: The participants were a stratified random sample of 5,300 students from Kansas State University, with 528 fully completed surveys, representing a 10% completion rate. Methods: A 25-item survey assessed demographics and perceptions, with data dimensionality reduced using principal component analysis (PCA), revealing five factors. Linear regressions identified associations between student characteristics and attitudes. Results: Most respondents were female (67%), aged 18-25 years (89%), white (87%), late undergraduates (53%), and omnivorous (92%). College affiliation (p < .01) and self-reported dietary eating patterns (p < .05) were consistently associated with perceptions of red meat and dairy. Race/ethnicity (p < .01), agricultural knowledge (p < .05), and population size (p < .01) also showed significant associations with specific perceptions of red meat and dairy. Conclusions: Students affiliated with the College of Agriculture and those with omnivorous diets had more positive views on red meat and dairy compared to others. Despite trends toward plant-based diets, students at this land-grant institution generally viewed red meat and dairy positively.