Exploring the socio-ecological barriers & facilitators to reducing meat consumption in Gugulethu, Western Cape

Simple item page
dc.contributor.advisorMyer, Landon
dc.contributor.advisorTsampiras, Carla
dc.contributor.authorWolpe, Hannah
dc.date.accessioned2026-01-30T12:38:15Z
dc.date.available2026-01-30T12:38:15Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.date.updated2026-01-30T12:34:25Z
dc.description.abstractMeat consumption is on the rise in low- and middle-income countries such as South Africa, contributing towards myriad environmental and health repercussions, including the non-communicable disease crisis. However, most research on the topic originates from Western contexts and focuses on individual factors. This exploratory, socio ecological study is the first of its kind, aiming to aid in the development of public health interventions to combat the anticipated growth in demand for meat. Five qualitative focus groups held with residents of Gugulethu, Cape Town (n = 42) revealed that the vast accessibility and affordability of meat plays a significant role in dietary decisions, with several participants describing feelings of powerlessness over their consumption. Eating meat was furthermore described as a cultural imperative, with plant-based options typically considered untraditional, mundane, impractical, and often inaccessible. Meat's association with race, socioeconomic status, and gender all arose as topics of discussion. Participants identified the use of moderation, meat replacements (e.g., soy) and familiar recipes as strategies for curbing meat consumption. Reducing meat consumption requires a range of contextualised, interdisciplinary interventions: Government-led efforts are needed to make healthy choices easy choices, particularly for disadvantaged communities, by making such foods more accessible, convenient, and affordable in multiple settings (e.g., through subsidisation and incentives). Social marketing campaigns may be instrumental in shifting norms, with 'nudge' interventions providing cost-effective strategies to promote healthier choices. Lastly, individual interventions including awareness-creation and skills-development would help facilitate widespread change
dc.identifier.apacitationWolpe, H. (2025). <i>Exploring the socio-ecological barriers &amp; facilitators to reducing meat consumption in Gugulethu, Western Cape</i>. (). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Department of Public Health and Family Medicine. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42793en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationWolpe, Hannah. <i>"Exploring the socio-ecological barriers &amp; facilitators to reducing meat consumption in Gugulethu, Western Cape."</i> ., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Department of Public Health and Family Medicine, 2025. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42793en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationWolpe, H. 2025. Exploring the socio-ecological barriers &amp; facilitators to reducing meat consumption in Gugulethu, Western Cape. . University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Department of Public Health and Family Medicine. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42793en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Wolpe, Hannah AB - Meat consumption is on the rise in low- and middle-income countries such as South Africa, contributing towards myriad environmental and health repercussions, including the non-communicable disease crisis. However, most research on the topic originates from Western contexts and focuses on individual factors. This exploratory, socio ecological study is the first of its kind, aiming to aid in the development of public health interventions to combat the anticipated growth in demand for meat. Five qualitative focus groups held with residents of Gugulethu, Cape Town (n = 42) revealed that the vast accessibility and affordability of meat plays a significant role in dietary decisions, with several participants describing feelings of powerlessness over their consumption. Eating meat was furthermore described as a cultural imperative, with plant-based options typically considered untraditional, mundane, impractical, and often inaccessible. Meat's association with race, socioeconomic status, and gender all arose as topics of discussion. Participants identified the use of moderation, meat replacements (e.g., soy) and familiar recipes as strategies for curbing meat consumption. Reducing meat consumption requires a range of contextualised, interdisciplinary interventions: Government-led efforts are needed to make healthy choices easy choices, particularly for disadvantaged communities, by making such foods more accessible, convenient, and affordable in multiple settings (e.g., through subsidisation and incentives). Social marketing campaigns may be instrumental in shifting norms, with 'nudge' interventions providing cost-effective strategies to promote healthier choices. Lastly, individual interventions including awareness-creation and skills-development would help facilitate widespread change DA - 2025 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town KW - meat consumption KW - meat KW - dietary norms KW - food environment KW - public health KW - non-communicable disease crisis LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2025 T1 - Exploring the socio-ecological barriers &amp; facilitators to reducing meat consumption in Gugulethu, Western Cape TI - Exploring the socio-ecological barriers &amp; facilitators to reducing meat consumption in Gugulethu, Western Cape UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42793 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/42793
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationWolpe H. Exploring the socio-ecological barriers &amp; facilitators to reducing meat consumption in Gugulethu, Western Cape. []. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Department of Public Health and Family Medicine, 2025 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42793en_ZA
dc.language.isoen
dc.language.rfc3066eng
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Public Health and Family Medicine
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Health Sciences
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subjectmeat consumption
dc.subjectmeat
dc.subjectdietary norms
dc.subjectfood environment
dc.subjectpublic health
dc.subjectnon-communicable disease crisis
dc.titleExploring the socio-ecological barriers &amp; facilitators to reducing meat consumption in Gugulethu, Western Cape
dc.typeThesis / Dissertation
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationlevelMPH
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
thesis_hsf_2025_wolpe hannah.pdf
Size:
2.38 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.72 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download
Collections
Masters