Food Purchases Research Articles

Eat green, be healthy: Gen-Z’s green food purchase intention – moderated by greenwash and fear of pandemic recurrence

PurposeThe present study aims to investigate factors influencing Gen-Z consumers' “green food purchase intention” and “healthy lifestyle”. Guided by the attribution theory, “perceived usefulness of green food”, “food safety concerns” (internal attributes), “perceived threat of environmental problems” and “green peer influence” (external attributes) are considered the predictors of “attitude towards green food”, which eventually lead to a healthy lifestyle and green food purchase intention. Besides, “fear of pandemic recurrence” and “greenwash” are tested as moderators.Design/methodology/approachThe Structural Equation Modelling-Partial Least Squares (PLS-SEM) technique was employed for the model testing. An online questionnaire survey was conducted among Gen-Z Chinese adults, which yielded 556 complete, valid responses.FindingsThe findings indicate that “consumers' attitudes towards green food” are positively influenced by “perceived threat of environmental problems”, “perceived usefulness of green food”, “concerns about food safety”, and the influence of “green peers”. In addition, results revealed that “attitude toward green food” exerts a positive effect on “healthy lifestyle” and “green food purchase intention”. The study supports the moderating role of “perceived greenwash” in the relationship between “attitude” and “intention to purchase green food”. However, there was no evidence to support the moderating effect of “fear of pandemic recurrence” in relation to a “healthy lifestyle”.Originality/valueThis study is a pioneer in utilizing the attribution theory to predict the drivers of a “healthy lifestyle” and the “intention to purchase green foods”. Furthermore, this study predicted the moderating influence of “fear of pandemic recurrence” on the relationship between attitude and “healthy lifestyle”, a link that has not been tested in previous research. Furthermore, it introduces a novel examination of the moderating effect of “perceived greenwash” on the relationship between “attitudes” and “purchase intentions”.

Characterising "obesogenic" versus "protective" food consumption, and their value chain among Ghanaian households.

This paper explores the characteristics of Ghanaian households' consumption of obesogenic versus protective foods, including their retail, distribution, and origin. A household food consumption survey was conducted using an adapted Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology study Food Frequency Questionnaire. Product pathways for selected obesogenic (processed meat, Sugar-Sweetened Beverages, and biscuits) and protective (cooked vegetables, legumes, and fish) foods were traced from retailers through distributors/wholesalers to producers. Rural and urban communities in the Ashanti Region and selected retail/wholesale/producers nationwide. 612 households, 209 retailers and 185 wholesalers/distributors. About 20% of households consume Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSB) and confectionery weekly, and just 2% consumed processed meat. Of the protective foods, fish had the highest proportion of households consuming weekly (74.5%), followed by cooked vegetables (53.1%) and legumes (22.8%). Frequent SSB consumption is higher in younger (p<0.001), male (p=0.010), urban (p<0.001), and more educated (p<0.001) food purchaser households. Below 10% of households followed the healthiest dietary pattern (high-protective-and-low-obesogenic) but higher in older and more educated food purchaser households. In contrast, most households (about 80%) consumption patterns did not discriminate between obesogenic and protective foods. Generally, characteristics of purchasers from retail/wholesale outlets agree with those of households, where obesogenic foods were retailed to younger, less educated buyers than older, more educated ones. While the protective foods had a strong local producer presence, the obesogenic foods were predominantly imported. Household consumption and retail/distribution of obesogenic foods are associated with socio-demographic characteristics, but obesogenic foods are almost entirely produced outside Ghana. Policies that regulate importation on health grounds can promote a healthier food environment.

The impact of health information seeking and social influence on functional food purchase intention

The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to unprecedented transformation of consumer behaviors. Despite the abundance of research on this subject, less is known about why and how consumers processed health information and subsequently decided to purchase food during the pandemic. This study employed a survey questionnaire to collect the data. The sample size consisted of 590 consumers in China. The data were analyzed via SPSS and SmartPLS version 3.2.9 to explore the relationships among variables. The results showed that health information-seeking behavior has a significant impact on healthy food product purchasing intention. Similarly, health-related internet use also has a positive impact on health information seeking. Moreover, the impact of motivation for healthy eating on health information seeking is significant. The results indicate a significant moderating role of social influence (i.e., interaction between health information seeking and healthy food product purchasing intention). Multigroup analysis revealed differences between income and age in terms of health-related internet use and purchasing intention. This study assessed healthy food product purchasing intention in a timely manner by incorporating health communication. variables and social influence into consumer behavior research in the context of COVID-19. It thus expands the extant literature and provides insights into the knowledge and practices concerned.

Understanding fruit and vegetable consumption among Uruguayan adults.

Although fruits and vegetables are an essential component of a healthy diet from sustainable food systems, their consumption remains below recommended levels worldwide. In this context, the aim of the present work was to explore factors influencing fruit and vegetable consumption among Uruguayan adults. A telephone survey with 505 adults, living in Montevideo and involved in food purchasing for the household, was conducted by a specialized company in May 2024. Participants were asked to indicate the number of days they consumed fruit in a typical week and the number of servings they ate in each of those days. They were also asked to indicate whether they regarded their fruit and vegetable consumption as sufficient or not. Those answering negatively were asked to indicate the reasons underlying their insufficient consumption. Participants also answered a series of socio-demographic questions. Results showed that only 12.4% of the participants consumed at least 5 servings of fruit and vegetables per day. Gender and socio-economic status were identified as the main socio-demographic predictors of fruit and vegetable consumption. Fruit and vegetable intake was frequently perceived as sufficient, even if it was below national recommendations. A wide range of factors emerged as motives underlying insufficient consumption of fruits and vegetables, including lack of habits, cost, dislike, and perceived difficulty for preparing or cooking vegetables. These results stress the need to implement multicomponent strategies to address deficiencies in fruit and vegetable consumption in the country.

Emotions associated with the intention to purchase sustainable food: An assessment within and between different animal-sourced food categories.

This study investigates the role of emotions in predicting sustainable food purchase intentions. A national representative sample from Norway (N = 785) was randomly assigned to rate their emotional response to specific food categories: livestock, capture fishery, aquaculture, and hunting. Emotional responses to each food category were of moderate intensity but there were no significant differences between specific animal-sourced foods. Findings from a series of regression analyses showed that egoistic values positively predict the intensity of positive and negative emotions for all food categories. Additionally, it was shown that individual differences in biospheric values (when strong) and hedonic values (when weak) predicted stronger negative emotions. Further analysis showed that negative emotions are the most consistent predictor of willingness to pay for sustainable animal-sourced food. These findings suggest that negative emotions can potentially be leveraged to enhance sustainable animal-sourced food consumption intentions.

Research Cluster related to Halal Behaviour

This study aims to see the development of research on the topic of "Halal Behavior" and research plans that can be carried out based on journals published on the theme. This study uses a qualitative method with a bibliometric analysis approach. The data used are secondary data on the theme of "Halal Behavior" which comes from the Scopus database with the number of documents531journal articles. Then, the data was processed and analyzed using the VosViewer application with the aim of finding out the bibliometric map of the development of "Halal Behavior" research in the world. The results of the study found that there were 4 clusters with the most frequently used words being value, attitude, trust, consumption, satisfaction, halal cosmetic, destination, purchase intention, and industry. Then, the topics of research paths related to Halal Behavior are Consumer behavior in the halal industry, Consumers' halal product purchase intention, Muslim tourists' trust in quality, and COVID-19 and Halal food purchase behavior.

Credibility Counts: The Impact of Social Media Influencers on Healthy and Nutritious Food Purchase Intention in Sri Lanka

The study aims to examine the influence of social media influencers' credibility spe-cifically expertise, trustworthiness, and attractiveness on consumers' purchase inten-tions of healthy and nutritious food in Sri Lanka. As non-communicable diseases con-tinue to rise, understanding how influencers can effectively promote healthier eating choices is critical for marketers and public health professionals. A cross-sectional sur-vey was administered to 385 social media users, with data analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The research is grounded in Oha-nian’s Source Credibility Model, which explores how the credibility dimensions of in-fluencers impact consumers’ purchase intention. The results demonstrate that all three dimensions of influencer credibility significantly affect purchase intentions, with at-tractiveness exerting the greatest influence, followed by trustworthiness and expertise. This highlights the pivotal role influencers play in shaping consumer preferences, par-ticularly in the health and wellness sectors. This study adds to the limited research on the role of influencer marketing in developing markets, specifically Sri Lanka. It offers actionable insights for brands and public health campaigns, emphasizing the im-portance of leveraging credible influencers to encourage healthier consumer habits. The study also opens avenues for future research, including the examination of influ-encer credibility across different industries and the long-term effects of influencer mar-keting on consumer behavior.

Food manufacturers’ compliance with the FDA's trans fat ban: Evidence from scanner data

AbstractWe use barcode‐level data in the US between 2012 and 2020 to document the evolution of trans fat content in manufactured food products before and after the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) 2015 determination that trans fats are not safe for human consumption (effectively a “trans fat ban”). First, we document how the number of products containing trans fat has declined over time. Second, using detailed information on household food purchases in retail stores, we quantify the corresponding reduction in total trans fat purchases. We find that although the number of trans fat products on the market has declined over time, products with a positive trans fat content continued to exist beyond the FDA's deadline for trans fat removal. We find a larger presence of trans fat products in small‐scale retailers (Dollar and Convenience stores) than in larger outlets (mass merchandisers and warehouse clubs). Similarly, trans fat products are relatively more prevalent in private label products and in products with a local presence. While trans fat purchases have declined over time, lower income households purchase product baskets with significantly larger amounts of trans fat. The findings can be used to guide more effective and efficient enforcement efforts.

Supermarkets, do they make the healthy choice the easy choice? A review of the healthfulness of the supermarket food environment.

The over consumption of high fat, sugar, and salt foods increases population risk of overweight, obesity and diet-related noncommunicable diseases. The food environment mediates consumer food choices and thus plays an important role in diet quality and related health outcomes. The built food environment, where most people in high income countries access their food, has been found to be obesogenic. The aim of this review was to investigate the healthfulness of the supermarket food environment. Supermarkets are an important source of healthy foods in the built food environment. However, there are disparities in access to supermarkets, and in several countries, supermarkets located in areas of higher deprivation have an unhealthier consumer food environment. This double burden limits access to healthy foods amongst lower socio-economic groups, contributing to widening disparities in food-related ill health. There is a strong body of evidence supporting improved purchase of healthy foods by increasing the healthfulness of the supermarket consumer food environment. Voluntary measures co-designed with retailers to improve the healthfulness of the supermarket consumer food environment through restriction of product placement and private label reformulation have led to an increase in healthier food purchases. However, evidence also shows that mandatory, structural changes are most effective for improving disparities in relation to access to healthy food and diet-related ill health. Future research and policy related to the supermarket food environment should consider equitable access to healthy sustainable foods in the context of growth in online supermarkets.

Fostering Sustainable Retail Business Innovations by Understanding Consumer Acceptance of Food Waste Reducing Business Models

ABSTRACTThe problem of food waste is increasingly being tackled via revenue‐generating activities such as the retailing of surplus food products. Little scholarly attention has been paid to the role of the consumer in such business models, even though consumers' perceptions and purchasing decisions are crucial to the acceptance of business innovations. This paper puts forward a process framework, informed by convention theory and legitimacy theory, to enhance understanding of ‘how’ consumer acceptance of such business models develops. Applying a multiple case study approach, this research investigates three case studies of ventures in Denmark and the United Kingdom illustrating models of surplus food reselling from retailers and manufacturers to consumers. The findings highlight three processes of acceptance: circumstantial, personal and community benefits and correspondence with social positioning. Aspects of price and convenience were the most influential in legitimising surplus food purchasing. Overall, the study makes an important contribution in demonstrating the market potential of surplus food.

SGD3 - Health and Wellness: Mother and Father Perspectives on Healthy Eating in Chile

Objective: The aim of this research is to analyze the food preferences of fathers and mothers in the Maule region. In this context, we explore statistical differences that can inform the development of business and institutional strategies, considering food consumption preferences. Theoretical Framework: Consumer preferences play a vital role in the development of plans and programs that promote a high quality of life. Both public and private organizations should advocate for food as a fundamental right within society by strategically managing the tastes and preferences associated with food products. Method: A self-evaluation instrument was administered to a convenience sample of 120 parents in the Maule region of Chile. Descriptive statistics and measures of central tendency were calculated, followed by a reliability analysis for each dimension. Finally, statistical differences were examined. Results and Discussion: Significant differences are found in various aspects, including food purchase criteria, the reading of nutrition labels, the evaluation of “High in” seals on packaged products, and the perception of the importance of food attributes. Additionally, certain preferences emerged as noteworthy based on the assessments provided by parents in the Maule region. Implications of the research: This research provides information that can be used for the design of strategies concerning the preferences of fathers and mothers according to the food purchase decision. In terms of its theoretical value, the findings allow us to affirm that food preferences are different according to the particularities of the research subjects. As for its social value, the results can be used for the design of public policies that contribute to the social welfare of the social fabric. Originality/Value: It is evident the havoc being caused in society by excesses and an unbalanced life. In this sense, this research provides inputs for the design and strategic management that encourage healthy eating as a basis for social welfare in the Maule region.

Health Shock Effects on Diet: More Severe Shock-Stronger Response?

We investigate whether the severity of lifestyle-related health shocks affects the response in dietary patterns. Using data from official patient registers in Denmark, we analyze the effects from strong health shock (SHS) occurrences (cardiovascular disease) and mild health shock (MHS) occurrences (arterial hypertension and hypercholesterolemia). These data are combined with scanner data on food purchases obtained from a consumer panel. Our analysis examines dietary effects stemming from these health shocks, including various nutrients, food groups, and overall adherence to dietary guidelines. Our findings reveal immediate dietary responses to both severe and mild health shocks, with a larger effect observed for SHS compared to MHS. However, among individuals previously exposed to mild health shocks, we observe minimal to no alteration in food consumption after experiencing a SHS. We argue that failing to account for this potential self-selection may lead to a misconception that severe health shocks do not result in dietary improvements.

Groceries or School Cafeterias: How Households Respond to School Nutrition Mandates

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA) placed strict nutritional mandates on meals served at U.S. public schools. This policy offers a unique opportunity to study household response to a large, exogenous change in healthiness of food available to their children. Did more healthy school meals lead households to substitute toward them, and away from grocery food purchases? Which households were more responsive to the nutritional mandates? And was there any spillover effect on the nutritional quality of their grocery food purchases? The authors document a meaningful decrease in the quantity of grocery food in response to the HHFKA, and a small decrease in quality. Consistent with substitution toward school meals, more of the quantity decrease is attributable to items likely to be purchased for children and categories traditionally associated with breakfast and lunch (the meals served at school). The HHFKA attracted even greater participation from financially constrained and time-constrained households for whom school meals were already important and were now coupled with the additional benefit of healthier food. These findings have important implications for policy makers and researchers, but also for food manufacturers and retailers.

Perceived blockchain-related information transparency and organic food purchase intention: an extension of the theory of planned behaviour with the moderation role of blockchain-based trust

PurposeThe current study aims to investigate the impact of perceived blockchain-related information transparency on consumers’ intention to purchase organic food. This study examines how perceived blockchain- related information transparency, directly and indirectly, affects purchase intentions through attitudes, perceived behavioural control and subjective norms. Additionally, the study explores how blockchain-based trust moderates the influence of perceived blockchain-related information transparency on these factors and the intention to purchase organic food.Design/methodology/approachBased on the theory of planned behaviour framework and a sample of 5,326 consumers, this study uses partial least squares structural equation modelling to test the research model.FindingsThis study finds that perceived blockchain-related information transparency directly enhances consumers’ attitudes towards organic food purchase, perceived behavioural control, subjective norms and intention to purchase organic food. Additionally, perceived blockchain-related information transparency indirectly affects consumers’ intention to buy organic food through three antecedents of the theory of planned behaviour model. Notably, these indirect effects were moderated by consumers’ blockchain-based trust.Practical implicationsThis study provides recommendations for leveraging blockchain to enhance transparency and build trust, which could boost consumer engagement and organic food purchases.Originality/valueThis research contributes to blockchain literature by empirically examining the role of perceived blockchain-related transparency and blockchain-based trust in consumers’ purchasing decisions regarding organic food. It provides valuable insights into the consumer-centric benefits of blockchain technology. Furthermore, this study also contributes to the literature on organic food, particularly its promotion through blockchain technology.

Relation Between Food Intake Pattern, Body Weight Status and Severity of COVID 19 Infection in Benghazi, Libya

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) isolation has altered individuals’ food purchasing behavior and dietary intake patterns. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the changes in the nutritional status and body weight in relation to severity of the disease in Benghazi city during the COVID-19 lockdown. This cross-sectional study involved 206 young adults in Benghazi got previous infection. The changes in dietary intake patterns were assessed using the Dietary Diversity Questionnaire with slight modifications, while anthropometric measurements including body height, body weight before the pandemic and current body weight were self-reported. The analyzed by Chi square or T test at α&lt; 0.05 for statistically differences. Overall, nearly one third of the respondents (48.8%) gained weight during the confinement, with an average increment of 4.06 ± 3.23 kg. The subjects reported consuming less fruits and 60.2% had higher plain water intake during the pandemic. It is observed that 41.0% to 66.8% of the young adults changed their dietary intake patterns during the pandemic. Decreased consumption of cereals and grains and other foods were associated with weight loss during the pandemic. On the contrary, an increased water and other soft drink intake were associated with weight gain during the lockdown (P&lt; 0.05). The relation between degree of symptoms and body weight status revealed that with increased the diseases severity the body weight and BMI sharply increased (P&lt; 0.05). Increase the severity of diseases associated with significant reduced food intakes. In spit body weight increased. Furthermore, decreased food intake have been noticed for all food stuffs and also dietary intake patterns changed.

Making Arab socialism palatable: Egyptian housewives and the politics of food in Nasser’s Egypt

ABSTRACT This article looks at the intersection of gender, politics and domesticity in the context of Arab Socialist planning in Egypt by analysing the advice given to women around food shopping and preparation in the 1960s. Discourses around food provision and consumption as a crucial component of socialist domesticity and of state intervention positioned women at the centre of the Nasserist project – as its symbols, beneficiaries, agents and occasionally, as its antagonists. Women – housewives in particular – were responsible, in a multitude of ways for making Arab socialism comfortable and, in the case of food shopping and preparation, palatable in the context of increasing economic austerity. I argue that cooking advice, found chiefly in the women’s press but also in cookbooks, popular culture, the educational system and government discourses around food purchasing under socialism politicised the figure of the housewife in new ways, as both as a beneficiary of the food supply program and as a political subject charged with the success of Arab socialist planning.

Formation Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Health Food Purchase Intention Among Young People

Formation Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Health Food Purchase Intention Among Young People

Values, attitude, and desire in organic food purchase intention in Mexico

IntroductionThis investigation analyses the purchase intention for organic foods through the influence of the consumer’s values, attitude, and desire, how this attitude mediates the relationship between consumer values and purchase intention, and how consumer desire mediates the relationship between attitude and purchase intention.MethodsThe quantitative approach was used with a transversal type of research. Data was collected through a survey of 204 consumers of organic foods in Mexico. The analysis of these results was carried out through partial least squares structural equation modeling.ResultsOnly appearance consciousness and environmental awareness are the motivators of the goals to influence the behavior of consumers when attitude mediates the relationships. However, when attitude mediated the relationship, health consciousness and social awareness were not significant motivators of behavioral intention.DiscussionThis analysis serves as a basis for deepening the study of gastronomic tourism in rural areas such as Mexico since this type of food is sold in tourist places. The model proposed can be used as a theoretical framework for future studies. Marketers can also use the results in marketing strategies as community marketing in economies like Latin American countries.

Associations between Thai children’s exposure to unhealthy food marketing and their diet-related outcomes: findings from a national cross-sectional survey

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to examine associations between children’s exposure to food marketing and their liking, purchase and consumption of unhealthy foods in Thailand. A face-to-face cross-sectional survey was conducted with a nationally representative sample of 4,117 Thai children aged 6–18 years. Ordinal logistic regression models were applied to determine the association between marketing exposures and liking, purchase and consumption of unhealthy foods. Of all children, 78.8% reported seeing cartoons on food packaging in the past week, while 72.5% had seen a celebrity or online influencer endorses a product. Most children (84%) reported being exposed to marketing for unhealthy foods through social media in the past week. Exposure to unhealthy food marketing was positively associated with children’s preferences for, and purchases and intakes of, unhealthy foods. Comprehensive regulations are required in Thailand to limit children’s exposure to, and the persuasive power of, unhealthy food marketing.

Farm production, marketing, and children's nutritional outcomes in rural Zambia

AbstractDespite increasing agricultural productivity, malnutrition remains high among food producers in many developing countries. This study examines how the difference between agricultural household nutrition requirements and production kept for home consumption, the Nutritient deficiency from own production (NDOP), impacts children's height‐for‐age z‐scores (HAZ) using a unique survey of 528 households in Zambia. The study also investigates the relationship between NDOP and market‐bought nutrition and the role of intra‐season price changes in nutrition. To address the endogeneity of NDOP, we use a control function approach. We find that NDOP is associated with lower HAZ. Both energy (calories) NDOP and nutrient‐specific NDOP, resulting from underproduction relative to nutritional requirements and from selling more than surplus food crops, are negatively correlated with HAZ. This result suggests that higher productivity and market participation do not always lead to better nutrition. We also find that crop sales (commercialization) only benefit nutrition if the household only sells surplus output relative to its nutritional requirements. Finally, we also find that NDOP does not correlate with market food purchases, and that the seasonal price increases for cereals further dampens market food purchases. The findings highlight that policies promoting smallholder commercialisation may overlook detrimental nutrition trade‐offs when own‐production falls short of household needs. Accounting for post‐harvest allocation of nutrients between own‐consumption, sales, and purchases can help ensure agricultural interventions improve farmer livelihoods and child nutrition.