Introducing the Meat Consumption Scale: Psychometric Properties and Convergent Validity

Background: The psychology of eating meat has emerged as a major field of study due to growing awareness of the negative impacts of excessive meat consumption on human and planetary health. However, given the critical importance of psychometrically valid measurement tools in quantitative research, it is concerning that studies have largely relied on unvalidated, ad hoc survey instruments to measure meat consumption. To address this methodological gap this study aimed to develop and validate a self-report questionnaire to measure an individual’s meat consumption and meat-eating intentions. Methods: The questionnaire was developed and validated through exploratory factor analysis (sample 1: N=183 Australians) and confirmatory factor analysis (sample 2: N=495 Australians). Convergent validity was assessed through correlation analyses conducted in both samples to determine the scale's association with demographic variables and ten meat-related constructs. Internal consistency reliability was assessed with mean inter-item correlations and corrected total-item correlations. Results: Exploratory factor analysis did not identify a latent meat-eating intention scale, but did reveal a unidimensional latent factor representing total meat consumption, which was named The Meat Consumption Scale (MCS). Confirmatory factor analysis verified the unidimensional structure of the MCS, with all model fit indices demonstrating excellent model fit. Significant correlations in the hypothesised directions between the MCS, ten meat-related constructs, and demographic variables provided evidence of convergent validity. Internal consistency reliability of the MCS was acceptable in both samples when evaluated by mean inter-item correlations and corrected item-total correlations. Conclusions: The Meat Consumption Scale (MCS) is the first psychometrically validated tool designed to measure an individual's meat consumption requiring a fast (<5 mins) one-time assessment. This 12-item self-report questionnaire measures consumption of land-based animal meat—red meat, poultry products, pork products, and other processed meats—over the past two-week period and is indicative of trait meat-eating patterns. The MCS is ideal for cross-sectional and longitudinal use in research and applied contexts. Further validation of the scale, including cultural adaptations, is recommended.