Food Purchases Research Articles

Do financial constraint and perceived stress modify the effects of food tax schemes on food purchases: moderation analyses in a virtual supermarket experiment.

To investigate whether financial constraint and perceived stress modify the effects of food-related taxes on the healthiness of food purchases. Moderation analyses were conducted with data from a trial where participants were randomly exposed to: a control condition with regular food prices, an sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) tax condition with a two-tiered levy on the sugar content in SSB (5-8 g/100 ml: €0·21 per l and ≥8 g/100 ml: €0·28 per l) or a nutrient profiling tax condition where products with Nutri-Score D or E were taxed at a 20 percent level. Outcome measures were overall healthiness of food purchases (%), energy content (kcal) and SSB purchases (litres). Effect modification was analysed by adding interaction terms between conditions and self-reported financial constraint or perceived stress in regression models. Outcomes for each combination of condition and level of effect modifier were visualised. Virtual supermarket. Dutch adults (n 386). Financial constraint or perceived stress did not significantly modify the effects of food-related taxes on the outcomes. Descriptive analyses suggest that in the control condition, the overall healthiness of food purchases was lowest, and SSB purchases were highest among those with moderate/high levels of financial constraint. Compared with the control condition, in a nutrient profiling tax condition, the overall healthiness of food purchases was higher and SSB purchases were lower, especially among those with moderate/high levels of financial constraint. Such patterns were not observed for perceived stress. Further studies with larger samples are recommended to assess whether food-related taxes differentially affect food purchases of subgroups.

The environmental impact of beef and ultra-processed food consumption in Brazil.

This study evaluated the independent and combined environmental impacts of the consumption of beef and ultra-processed foods in Brazil. Cross-sectional study. Brazil. We used food purchases data from a national household budget survey conducted between July 2017 and July 2018, representing all Brazilian households. Food purchases were converted into energy, carbon footprints and water footprints. Multiple linear regression models were used to assess the association between quintiles of beef and ultra-processed foods in total energy purchases and the environmental footprints, controlling for sociodemographic variables. Both beef and ultra-processed foods had a significant linear association with carbon and water footprints (P < 0·01) in crude and adjusted models. In the crude upper quintile of beef purchases, carbon and water footprints were 47·7 % and 30·8 % higher, respectively, compared to the lower quintile. The upper quintile of ultra-processed food purchases showed carbon and water footprints 14·4 % and 22·8 % higher, respectively, than the lower quintile. The greatest reduction in environmental footprints would occur when both beef and ultra-processed food purchases are decreased, resulting in a 21·1 % reduction in carbon footprint and a 20·0 % reduction in water footprint. Although the environmental footprints associated with beef consumption are higher, dietary patterns with lower consumption of beef and ultra-processed foods combined showed the greatest reduction in carbon and water footprints in Brazil. The high consumption of beef and ultra-processed foods is harmful to human health, as well as to the environment; thus, their reduction is beneficial to both.

Pre, mid and post-COVID-19 aquatic food purchasing behavior in China

Abstract This paper aims to understand the changes in what, how, and where people consumed and purchased aquatic food due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the factors affecting the purchase of aquatic food by Chinese residents. The theoretical basis is Stimulus-Organism-Behavior-Consequence (SOBC) with the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), and a theoretical model was proposed to explain Chinese residents’ aquatic food purchasing behavior. The methods used in this paper are descriptive statistical analysis and empirical analysis based on structural equation model (SEM). The former is used to compare the characteristics of aquatic food purchasing behavior in different periods. The latter used the 1708 responses obtained in the survey to identify the factors that influence aquatic food purchasing behavior. The results reveal that 1) the frequency, types and channels of residents' purchase of aquatic food were different before, during and after the epidemic; 2) SOBC model can effectively explain the formation mechanism of residents' aquatic food purchasing behavior. The results of this study can provide reference for aquatic food marketers and fishery development in China.

Restaurant outlet density and the healthfulness of food purchases: evidence from FoodAPS.

The average American household's diet and food purchasing patterns are out of sync with federal recommendations. Researchers have connected this with the large and growing rates of obesity, diabetes, and other diet-related ailments in the U.S. Restaurant food has been discussed a potential contributor to unhealthful diets, as it is often calorically dense. We investigate the association between household access to restaurants and diet quality using USDA FoodAPS data and NPD ReCount data. We define radii around households to measure restaurant outlet counts and apply a regression analysis incorporating household characteristics. We find that neither restaurant counts nor openings share many statistically or economically significant associations with average dietary quality. Household characteristics and demographics are far more powerful in explaining variation in diet quality. Our findings align with the large and growing body of empirical research that suggests that personal preferences and other household characteristics are more important than the food environment in explaining food choices and diet quality. Given the extant research on the importance of access to large supermarkets, our results suggest that access to food retailers is more important in explaining diet quality than access to restaurants.

Seguridad alimentaria en familias de Yurimaguas, Perú: Características y factores asociados

Food security is sufficient access to safe and nutritious foods to satisfy nutritional needs and personal preferences, and to lead a healthy and active life. Objectives. To determine food security in 160 households of human settlement of Yurimaguas district, Loreto department, Perú and factors associated with it. Methods. The selected households had among their members at least one child under 18 years of age and an unmet basic need, which for all of them, did not have the sewage service. In these households, the Latin American and Caribbean Food Security Scale (ELCSA) was applied, consisting of 15 items and a sociodemographic and socioeconomic survey. The households were classified as food secure, or mildly, moderately or severely food insecure. Results. Among households, 3.1% were classified as food secure and 96.9% as food insecure (78.8% as mildly insecure, 16.9% as moderately insecure and 1.2% as severely insecure). Food- insecure households had a greater number of minors, mothers with a lower educational level and the daily expenditure in food was lower in comparison with food-secure households. Conclusions. A very high percentage of the households surveyed in the study area were food insecure, although mostly mild. Associated with the number of minors in the home, the mother's education and daily spending on food purchases.

Food-related media use and eating behavior in different food-related lifestyle groups of Korean adolescents in metropolitan areas.

This study investigated the relationship between adolescent food-related lifestyles and food-related media use and eating behavior in Korea. Participants were 392 Korean adolescents, ranging in age from 12 to 18, recruited via convenience sampling. They completed a self-report questionnaire survey consisting of questions about food-related lifestyle, food-related media use, food consumption behavior, food literacy, and nutrition quotient. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 29.0. (IBM Co., Armonk, NY, USA). The factor analysis of food-related lifestyles identified four factors. Based on the cluster analysis results, participants were classified into three clusters reflecting different levels of interest: high interest in food, moderate interest in food, and low interest in food. The analysis revealed significant differences between groups in food-related liestyle factors (P < 0.05). Notably, the high-interest group demonstrated proactive engagement with food-related content, a willingness to explore diverse culinary experiences, and a conscientious consideration of nutritional labeling during food purchases. In contrast, the low-interest group reported tendencies toward overeating or succumbing to stimulating food consumption post-exposure to food-related content, coupled with a disregard for nutritional labeling when making food choices. A stronger inclination toward a food-related lifestyle was positively correlated with higher levels of food literacy and nutrition quotient. This study proposes that the implementation of a nutrition education program using media could effectively promote a healthy diet among adolescents with a high level of interest in their dietary habits. For adolescents with low interest in their dietary habits, it suggests that introducing an education program with a primary focus on enhancing food literacy could be beneficial in fostering a healthy diet. Our research findings provide insight for the development of tailored nutritional education programs and establishment of effective nutrition policies.

A systematic review of the implementation of healthy food retail interventions in settings with multiple food retail outlets (complex food retail settings).

Complex food retail settings, where multiple food retail outlets operate in close proximity are common. Despite their ubiquity, there remains a significant knowledge gap regarding healthy food retail interventions implemented within these settings. Furthermore, understanding the factors affecting the implementation of interventions in these settings remains limited. This systematic review aimed to (1) identify and describe complex food retail settings where interventions were implemented to promote the healthiness of foods purchased, (2) synthesise the evidence on the effectiveness of the interventions implemented, and (3) identify enablers and barriers to the implementation of the interventions in these settings. Four databases, namely, MEDLINE Complete, Global Health, Embase, and Business Source Complete, were searched until December 2022. The Effective Public Health Practice Project quality assessment tool was used. Six studies reported on the implementation of interventions promoting healthy food purchases across multiple food retail outlets. Three studies each described two complex food retail settings: university and hospital. Interventions including promotion and promotion plus price improved the healthiness of foods purchased. There was limited description of institutional food policies, conceptual frameworks, formative research, or evaluation outcomes to inform the implementation of interventions in these settings. No study analysed enablers and barriers to the implementation of interventions. No study identified their settings as complex food retail settings. There is limited evidence describing complex food retail settings, their impact on intervention effectiveness, and associated enablers or barriers. Investigating factors influencing the effectiveness of interventions implemented within complex food retail settings is critical to support their implementation at scale.

Examining Personal Values Influence on Purchase of Green Foods in Egypt: Sustainability-Based Perspective

The study aimed to examine the green food purchase behavior in Egypt. Considering the theory of planned behavior (TPB), the study tested the impact of personal values (egoistic, altruistic, and bio-spheric), intention to pay a premium, and green food availability on green food purchase behavior. In addition, the study tested the impact of green food availability as a moderator between green food purchase intention and green food purchase behavior. A total number of 366 survey questionnaires were collected online from customers who buy green food in Egypt. The data were analyzed by structural equation modeling to test the research hypotheses using Smart PLS 4.0. The findings showed that biospheric values positively influenced green food purchase behavior, while egoistic and altruistic values don’t have that significant impact. Additionally, the willingness to pay more for readily available green food options increased eco-friendly purchasing behavior. However, green food availability as a moderator does not significantly impact the green food intention-behavior relationship. Nonetheless, the study supported the TPB by showing that positive attitudes towards green food successfully translate into the intention and the act of purchasing it. This study tried to explain green food purchase behavior in Egyptian society from a holistic perspective. It provided insight for marketers to help them understand customer behavior and build suitable strategies for green food purchases.

Modern aspects of the livestock industry development, considering the analysis of consumer preferences for meat and meat products

In the modern conditions of the development of economic relations, consumer behavior in relation to the choice, purchase and consumption of food has been significantly transformed. This state of affairs encourages market participants to seriously change their approaches to working with consumers, the basis of which should be a multifactorial study of consumer preferences. At the moment, this transformation is of particular interest in the main markets, which include the meat and meat products market. This article attempts to study the transformation of consumer preferences for meat and meat products in modern conditions. Special attention is focused on such a parameter as the product quality. In the course of the study, a model was proposed for evaluating the decision-making process on the purchase of meat and meat products by the consumer, considering the essential factors of choice, the results of the marketing research were presented, the main conclusions regarding the transformation of consumer preferences were formulated, the importance of such criteria as product safety, animal husbandry, environmental impact was assessed. On the part of consumer organizations, the interrelation of such criteria forming the quality of the product as freshness, compliance with microbiological indicators, compliance with temperature control, which are currently a priority when choosing a supplier, is evaluated. The main conclusions are presented, which allow to consider the main promising areas of development of organizations engaged in meat production. The practical significance of the research lies in the possibility for organizations operating in this market to create successful marketing strategies and will significantly make the manufactured products of the quality necessary for the consumer.

Undergraduates’ Satisfaction of Online Food and Beverage Services Amidst Financial Distress in Nnewi Urban, Anambra State, Nigeria

This study determined undergraduates’ satisfaction of online food and beverage services amidst financial distress in Nnewi urban, Anambra State, Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design was used by the study. Population consisted of 3,509 students. Sample size was 35. Questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection. Data was analyzed using mean and standard deviation. Findings revealed that different types of food and beverage products were purchased online. The problems undergraduates face in online food and beverage services included delayed delivery, use of artificial food colouring and fear of food contamination. Strategies for enhancing students’ satisfaction of online purchases included timely delivery of products ordered and appropriate delivery mechanism. Findings also showed that the ways online food and beverage purchases can influence undergraduate’s finances included high cost of online food products, additional cost for delivery among others. Among recommendations made was that online food vendors should ensure that food products delivered are same with products ordered by customers in order to enhance customer satisfaction.

Women’s Participation in Financial Decisions in Rural and Urban Haryana

Women the silent architects of society, weave the fabric of families and communities. Their influence extends far beyond the confines of their homes, shaping the very essence of progress. In the intricate dance of life; women’s decisions resonate powerfully in the realm of financial activities. By empowering women to actively participate in economic matters, we bridge long standing gaps and pave the way for collective growth. India, a tapestry of diversity, thrives when its women thrive. Their financial literacy becomes the compass guiding us toward prosperity and the investment not only in their well-being but also in their knowledge, is required. Keeping this in view, the study was carried out on a sample size of 256 respondents in the districts of Hisar and Kaithal during 2023. The study was on the working and non-working women of Haryana. The results showed that working and non-working women of rural area had less involvement in financial matters as compared to urban women. Among the non-working women, more than one third of the respondents took decisions independently related to purchase of clothes, purchase of daily food articles and purchase of utensils.

High street retail environment interventions and their theorised impacts on health and wellbeing: A scoping review.

Health outcomes are influenced by social and environmental determinants of health. As places where people work, live, meet and consume, high street retail environments are influential in shaping health. In recent decades, high streets have been in decline, prompting policies to revitalise retail environments and support local businesses, particularly in European and North American countries. The aim of this scoping review was to systematically map evidence on retail environment interventions, to gain a deeper understanding of the current evidence base assessing their possible health and wellbeing impacts. The objectives were to identify different types of interventions and the outcomes they address; and the mechanism through which interventions are theorised to influence health and equity. Peer-reviewed studies were identified through academic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, EconLit, Web of Science and Social Policy and Practice) using relevant search terms. Additional (grey) literature was identified using citation scanning and online searches. Studies were eligible if they evaluated interventions with a significant focus on supporting the retail environment, reported on at least one health and wellbeing outcome and were written in English. Relevant data were extracted and presented descriptively. An interpretive approach was taken to analyse theories of change. The searches identified 53 peer-reviewed studies and nine grey literature reports. Interventions were categorised as follows: area-based initiatives, business improvement districts, business incentives, and demand-side incentives. Studies predominantly evaluated impacts on social and environmental determinants of health. Some studies measured impacts on self-rated (mental) health, physical activity and food consumption and purchasing. Studies reported evidence of both improved and worsening outcomes. Theories of change were often under-specified and reductionist, lacking a clear understanding of the complex systems in which interventions take place. Future interventions could benefit from more comprehensive theories of change that meaningfully integrate economic, and health and wellbeing outcomes. This requires intersectoral collaboration.

Sodium intake according to NOVA food classification in Brazil: trends from 2002 to 2018.

Excessive sodium intake is a major global public health issue and the identification of dietary sources and temporal trends in its consumption are a key to effective sodium reduction policies. This study aims to update estimates of sodium intake and its dietary sources in Brazil according to the NOVA food classification system. Records of 7-day food purchases of households from the Brazilian Household Budgets Survey of 2002-2003, 2008-2009, and 2017-2018 were converted into nutrients using food composition tables and the mean availability was estimated per 2,000kcal/day. Mean daily sodium available for consumption in Brazilian households has increased from 3.9 to 4.7g per 2,000kcal, from 2002-2003 to 2017-2018, over twice the recommended levels of sodium intake. From 2002-2003 to 2017-2018, the processed culinary ingredients, including table salt, represented the largest dietary source of sodium, although their participation in dietary sodium was reduced by 17% (66.6% to 55%), while the percentage of dietary sodium from processed foods increased by 20.3% and from ultra-processed foods increased by 47.6% (11.3% to 13.6% and 17% to 25.1%, respectively). In conclusion, the total household sodium availability remains high and has increased over time in Brazil, yet the participation of different dietary sources of sodium have gradually changed.

Are consumers’ food purchase intentions impacted by blockchain technology?

Are consumers’ food purchase intentions impacted by blockchain technology?

Research on Consumer Behavior Theory of Green Food Purchase Decision: Process Analysis and Exploration of Influencing Factors

Research on Consumer Behavior Theory of Green Food Purchase Decision: Process Analysis and Exploration of Influencing Factors

Assessing the status of household food security and its determinants in Ethiopia: Lesson from Debre Berhan town

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of industrialization on human food security in Debre Berhan city, Ethiopia. The research design used to conduct the study was descriptive, with mixed data-gathering approaches and analytical methods. Both primary and secondary data sources were used to collect the required data through laboratory tests, questionnaires, interviews, and FGDs. 227 farming households and 328 factory employees were selected systematically from and around sample industries for the sample survey. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, such as percentages, means, and standard deviations. In addition, the study used inferential statistical techniques, including a logistic regression model to identify relationships and patterns within the data. Whereas thematic analysis was used to assess the qualitative data. The findings of the study revealed that 52% and 53% of households and 47% and 49% of factory workers failed to achieve the minimum quantity and quality of food, respectively. Whereas, based on a proxy measure of the percentage of budgets devoted to food purchases, 83% of employees and 77% of farming households were classified as food insecure. The findings of the binary logistic regression analysis also indicated that food insecurity had a significant relationship with family size (β = 0.441, p = 0.007), livestock number (β = −0.221, p = 0.001), farmland size (β = −1.292, p = 0.061), distance from factories (β = −0.691, p = 0.005), off-farm employment (β = −2.789, p = 0.014), compensation for lost asset (β = −3.037, p = 0.002) and access to training (β = −3.037, p = 0.000). The study indicates that households with larger families, fewer livestock, smaller agricultural lands, lack of off-farm income, proximity to industries, insufficient compensation, and inadequate training experience food insecurity. The study concludes that industrial expansion negatively and significantly affected the food security of the farming and employed households. The study recommends that fair compensation, create off-farm income, prioritize community well-being, and foster sustainable development amidst industrial expansion.

Retraction: Effects of environmental impact labels on the sustainability of food purchases: Two randomised controlled trials in an experimental online supermarket.

Retraction: Effects of environmental impact labels on the sustainability of food purchases: Two randomised controlled trials in an experimental online supermarket.

Nudge Framing’ s Influence on Suboptimal Food Purchase Intentions: The Mediating Role of Moral Engagement

Currently, food waste imposes substantial adverse effects on the economy, society, and environment, with surplus food sales playing a major role in this wastage. Surplus food, despite its safety and quality parallels with regular food, suffers from low consumer awareness. Research indicates that nudging frameworks can improve intervention efficacy, prompting individuals to alter their preference selections. Previous studies have neglected to explore the impact mechanisms of individual and social nudging frameworks on the willingness to purchase surplus food, indicating a need for further inquiry. This study delves into the influence of individual and social nudging frameworks on consumers’ willingness to buy surplus food. Experimental validation illustrates that social norm-based nudges, in comparison to individual norm-based nudges, notably increase the willingness to purchase surplus food, with moral entanglement serving as a mediating factor. Moreover, the influence of these nudging frameworks on the willingness of highly cognitive consumers to purchase surplus food outweighs that on low cognitive consumers. This research contributes to advancing the understanding of surplus food and food wastage.

Factors Influencing Consumer Choices and Organic Food Production in Haryana: Insights from Farmers

The study examined consumer behaviour dynamics in Haryana related to organic food purchases and forecasted production, in 2023-2024. The research employed area sampling; representing four districts based on organic food store availability, and surveyed 300 consumers during 2024. Three key factors influencing purchasing decisions were identified: benefits of organic food, characteristics of organic food, and promotional tools. The Benefits of organic food, explaining 30.461 per cent of the variance, was the most significant, emphasizing health advantage, environmental protection, and trust in organic labels. Characteristics of organic food contributed 19.197 per cent of the variance, focusing on quality, affordability, and chemical-free production. Promotional tools; accounting for 14.172 per cent, highlighted discounts, taste, and online marketing. These factors collectively explained 63.830% of consumer decision-making, with health and environmental benefits emerging as primary motivators. The study forecasted organic food production in Haryana from 2011-12 to 2022-23 using polynomial regression analysis, with a moderate model fit (R² = 0.60). The findings revealed significant production fluctuations due to external factors, suggesting the need for continued research to improve forecast accuracy.

BGC Trust University Bangladesh, BGC Biddyanagar, Kanchan Nagar, Chandanaish, Chittagong, Bangladesh.

Organic foods are becoming more attractive to consumers than conventional foods globally, mainly driven by perceived positive impacts on consumer health, environment, and sustainable development. This research aims to uncover the factors influencing consumers' organic food purchasing decisions in Bangladesh, especially Chattogram. This study employs purposive sampling methods to collect 435 responses from people who buy organic foods from different urban and sub-urban areas in Chattogram, Bangladesh, from various green markets, raw markets, super stores, and departmental stores. A Sophisticated Statistical Technique, "Factor Analysis" (Principal Component Analysis, and Confirmatory Factor Analysis), is used to understand why consumers purchase organic foods. The result showed nine factors, where the first consideration is perceived value, followed by marketing strategy, health consciousness, availability, attitudes, trust, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. The factor analysis results revealed that nine factors account for 61.85% of the variance of consumers' organic food purchasing decisions. This study's findings suggest that all these nine factors influence consumers' organic purchasing decisions: perceived value, marketing strategy, health consciousness, availability, attitudes, Trust, environmental concern, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. These findings are crucial for producers and authorities responsible for ensuring nutritional value, health concerns, and ecological sustainability.