abstract
Contemporary Western vegetarianism is most commonly motivated by concern for animal welfare, health, the environment, and/or religious beliefs. Meat eaters primarily associate meat with providing some essential nutrients, good taste, luxury, and social status, whereas vegetarians primarily associate it with poorer health, animal cruelty, killing, and disgust. Vegetarians are more likely to be women, more likely to endorse liberal values of empathy, social justice and equality and less likely to endorse conservative values of tradition, social hierarchy, and obedience. Vegetarian diets are associated with lower rates of obesity, cancer, hypertension, and heart disease but higher risks of nutritional deficiencies, particularly iron, calcium, and vitamin B12.