Those were my immediate assumptions too, more or less.

I would have also been prepared for more obscure psychosocial explanations - status of men/masculinity, size of social groups, locus of control.

But no - look, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are at opposite extremes.

WTF...? 

 Yeah those two (Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan) are what’s throwing me off… 😵‍💫 

 Belarus vs Russia/Ukraine, too. 

 Well Russia they eat more lamb, goat, beef, and some horse as well. In Ukraine it’s more pork and I think chicken? Maybe that has some difference? 

 But I know this famous chocolate from Kazakhstan has a flavor enhancer (I know because I’m allergic to it) so maybe they add that in other foods? Maybe  Uzbekistan does not use that? 

 China LOVES its flavour enhancer 621, but they're upper-middle for T. 

 Oh that’s true… 😵‍💫