Protein transition: bridging theoretical models to enhance connection of scientific nutrition and public policies
Résumé
The protein transition corresponds to the switchover of plant proteins to animal proteins. Emphasized by theoreticians of the nutritional transition, it has long been thought of as a consequence of economic development (Drewnowski, Popkin, 1997). However, the choice of sources of protein is determined by socio-cultural factors, such as religious taboos relating to consumption of certain animals, promotion or not of vegetarianism or even more largely the symbolic hierarchies specific to each culture that organize the “order of the edible”. This paper proposes to study the theoretical issues involved in the study of the protein transition on which biological, economic and ethnocultural variables interact. It shows that, in public health, behind the expression "transition", there are two families of different theoretical models: on the one hand that of the demographic (Notestein, 1944) and epidemiological transition (Omran, 1971), and on the other hand that of the nutrition transition. The development of the protein transition is a privileged empirical field for establishing bridges between these two theoretical frameworks. It is likely to allow the development of inter-science dialogue, both in terms of methodologies and analyzes. It places the choice of proteins in public health agendas (nutrition and "well-being"), as well as food security and environmental policies (Drewnowski & Poulain, 2018). The presentation is based on theoretical frameworks and methods used in the Asian Food Barometer for Malaysia and Indonesia.
