The domestic swine industry is currently facing a threat due to the recent increase in pork imports. This study aims to determine what factors influence consumers' intention to consume imported pork and suggest measures to support the domestic pork industry. To achieve this, we analyzed data from the Korea Rural Economic Institute's Food Consumption Behavior Survey using a binary logistic regression model. The results revealed that a higher intention to consume imported pork is linked to a higher intention to consume imported rice, purchasing meat online, frequent purchases of HMR, and procuring U.S. beef, especially among urban residents. On the other hand, a lower intention to consume imported pork is associated with a higher awareness of animal welfare certification, frequently dining out, and older age. Based on these findings, we propose the following response measures for the domestic swine industry: implementing educational programs, marketing, and advertising specifically targeting urban residents to improve their perception of domestic agricultural products; enhancing price competitiveness through distribution optimization; and developing policies to promote the use of domestic pork as an ingredient in processed foods.
The domestic artificially sweetened beverage market has grown rapidly in recent years, and sodas have led this growth. This study investigated consumer food purchasing behavior of artificially sweetened sodas in terms of the food health stereotypes of “vice” and “virtue”; used to denote unhealthy and healthy food purchases, respectively. The study was conducted using consumer panel data collected by the Rural Development Administration from 2017 to 2020. Given the semi-continuous nature of artificially sweetened soda purchases, Cragg’s two-part model was used for the analysis. The probability of purchasing artificially sweetened sodas increased as expenditure on snacks (a vice food category) increased. However, of those panelists who purchased artificially sweetened sodas, expenditure on artificially sweetened sodas decreased with expenditure on snacks and increased with expenditure on fruits (a virtue food category). These results suggest that vicious-lifestyle consumers choose artificially sweetened sodas when they regulate eating habits, whereas virtuous-lifestyle consumers increase artificially sweetened soda expenditure for hedonic consumption to reduce guilt based on a sensible trade-off effect.
A checklist of dietary behavior items for the elderly was developed based on Korean dietary guidelines. First, a literature review was conducted, and 63 preliminary items, including 30 items on food intake, 12 on eating habits, and 21 on dietary culture, were obtained to evaluate the dietary guidelines. The preliminary items were evaluated by experts using Lawshe’s method to verify the content validity. They were then revised, resulting in 52 items: 25, 11, and 16 in the food intake, eating habits, and dietary culture domains, respectively. A face-to-face survey was conducted on 331 people over 65 years of age in the metropolitan area, and their one-day food intake was surveyed using a 24-hour recall method in August 2022. The 48 items, including 24, 11, and 13 items on food intake, eating habits, and dietary culture, respectively, correlated significantly with the evaluation indicators of nutrient intake, such as mean adequacy ratio, dietary diversity score, and nutrient intake density. These items were considered suitable for evaluating the elderly's compliance with dietary guidelines.
This study was conducted to investigate whether there were differences in eco-friendly food, home meal replacement (HMR) purchases, and eating-out behavior according to the level of agri-food consumer competence. The data for the study were extracted from main food consumers (n=3,321) in the 2022 Food Consumption Behavior Survey. The competence index was divided into awareness-attitude-practice items, and three groups were classified by competence level. The results showed an agri-food consumer competency score of 70.62, with the highest score for awareness (73.96), followed by practice (69.28) and attitude (66.18). The frequency of purchasing eco-friendly food was higher in the excellent group compared to other groups, and quality and price satisfaction was higher with higher competency (p<0.001). Regarding HMR, the results showed that the shortage group had the lowest HMR consumption rate, and satisfaction decreased as competence decreased (p<0.001). The main reason for eating-out was to enjoy food in all groups (59.0%), followed by a lack of cooking time in the excellent group (15.7%) and hassle with food preparation in the moderate and shortage groups (17.3%, 16.6%) (p<0.001). In short, agri-food consumption competency showed differences by contents and components, and differences in food purchases and eating-out behavior by competency level were found.
This study examined the determinants of healthy food purchases before and after COVID-19 in Korea. Binomial and multinomial logistic regression models were applied to Korea Rural Economic Institute's Food Consumer Behavior Survey data from 2019 to 2021. The analysis revealed a significant decrease in the non-intake of healthy food in 2021 compared to 2019, suggesting the impact of COVID-19 on healthy food consumption. Consumption patterns also changed, with a decrease in direct purchases and an increase in gift-based purchases. Several variables showed significant effects on healthy food intake. Single-person households exhibited a higher probability of eating healthy food after COVID-19. The group perceiving themselves as healthy had a lower likelihood of consuming healthy food pre-COVID-19, but this changed after the pandemic. Online food purchases, eco-friendly food purchases, and nut consumption showed a gradual decrease in the probability of non-intake over time. Gender and age also influenced healthy food intake. The probability of eating healthy food increased in the older age group compared to the younger group, and the probability increased significantly after COVID-19. The probability of buying gifts was significantly higher in those in their 60s, indicating that the path to obtaining healthy food differed by age.
In this research, we examined the shifts in determinants influencing the frequency of eco-friendly food purchases pre- and post-COVID-19. Our analysis utilized filtered 2019-2021 Consumption Behavior Survey data from the Korea Rural Economic Institute Food, excluding any irrational responses. Given the nature of the dependent variable, a multinomial logistic regression model was employed with demographic factors, variables pertaining to food consumption behavior, and variables concerning food consumption awareness as predictors. Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, an individual's level of education was observed to positively influence the frequency of eco-friendly food purchases. In contrast, income level and fluctuations in food consumption expenditure did not appear to have a discernible impact on the purchasing frequency of such eco-friendly products. Irrespective of the advent of COVID-19, variables such as the frequency of online food purchases, the utilization of early morning delivery services, dining out frequency, and the intake of health-functional foods consistently demonstrated a positive correlation with the propensity to purchase eco-friendly foods. Overall, consumers prioritizing safety, quality, and nutrition over price, taste, and convenience in their procurement decisions for rice, vegetables, meat, and processed foods exhibit an increased inclination toward the acquisition of eco-friendly food products.
In the last decade, labels have been multiplying on food products (e.g., organic labels, Nutri- Score) to foster nutritious and sustainable food purchases, as such raising the question of the effect of multi-labelling. In this article, we use the prism of information processing and specifically address the question of multi-labelling when the labels have simultaneously positive and negative valences. Such a situation could confuse consumers and therefore, harm multi-labelling ability to empower consumers. An experiment shows that 1/ adding a good Eco- Score to a good Nutri-Score enhances warm glow among the most ecology-sensitive consumers, though it does not significantly increase purchase intentions, 2/ adding a bad Eco- Score to a good Nutri-Score increases consumer confusion (i.e., a discomfort due to ambiguous stimuli that requires mental efforts to cope with) but does not decrease purchase intentions. Recommendations to food managers and public policy makers result from these results.
Healthy and environmentally friendly food is a subject of increasing prominence all around the world, and especially so in developing countries such as India, where consumption of agricultural goods produced in a sustainable environment with a low reliance on pesticides, antibiotics, hormones, and genetic manipulation is a real challenge. Consumer interest in green food items is increasing as safety and health concerns grow, and researchers are calling for further investigation of green food consumer behavior. Although a large number of research was done on environmental performance in industrialized countries, very little research has been conducted among Indian consumers. Furthermore, the gap between intention to consume green food products and actual behavior remains under-investigated. This gap can be investigated through the prism of theory of planned behavior (TPB). This theory has been widely used in green consumer studies: it seeks to explain how individuals make decisions and take actions based on their attitudes, beliefs, and perceived behavioral control. However, the TPB has not been extended to account for cultural values (i.e., Hofstede’s cultural framework), which can play an important role in shaping consumer attitudes and behaviors. Therefore, this research investigates the application of the extended TPB model in the context of green food products with a quantitative survey among Indian consumers (N=387). The results show that long-term (health) orientation and collectivism influence both green purchase intention and behavior. This effect is explained by subjective norms, perceived value, and environmental attitudes of the consumers.
This study aims to integrate the protection motivation theory (PMT) model and attitude to explore the factors influencing consumers’ usage behavior toward online food delivery platform services (OFDPSs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The utilitarian value and hedonic value of OFDPSs, which may influence consumers’ attitude, were also included in the integrated research model. This study collected a total of 384 participants who are with experience in using OFDPSs during the COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan for analysis
Plastic pollution is one of the biggest environmental problems in the world. In modern society, the consumption of single-use plastics in the food service industry has increased along with the increase in food-away-from-home. The COVID-19 pandemic has attacked the consumption of single-use plastic in the restaurant industry. During the COVID-19 pandemic, especially the US has retracted the related laws and policies regarding using single-use plastic for fast food and carry-out food, and customers have increased their use of single-use plastic for fast food and carry-out food due to worries about hygiene. Even though sustainability has been a novel topic in hospitality literature, a majority of studies have focused on the consumers’ perception, attitude, or behavioral willingness toward sustainability. To fill this gap in research, finding an effective way to influence consumers’ behavioral change becomes important and necessary.
The rise of social media has brought the existence of “foodie” and “food bloggers” in the culinary business. The word “foodie” refers to those who highly favor and engage with food and spend a substantial amount of time collecting culinary experiences and visiting famous restaurants, while a food blogger is an individual or a foodie who uses a communication platform to share recipes and passion for food through reviews based on his or her experience. Culinary businesses use food bloggers to help promote their products and encourage consumers to try their products, which are believed to be effective as the viewers or the followers tend to take their recommendations.
The influence of the food value consumption type of MZ generation on food choice attribute and sustainable food consumption behavior was studied using structural equation modeling. A survey was conducted on April 11~17, 2022, among panels aged 20 to 39. A total of 350 valid replicates (100%) were analyzed using statistical program SPSS The validity of the measurement instrument was verified through exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. The data reliability was confirmed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. The hypothesis was verified by performing path analysis through structural equation modeling using AMOS. Regarding the influence of food choice characteristics on sustainable food consumption behavior, health has a significant positive (+) effect on the selection consumption behavior of certified food and local food. Among food value consumption categories social value consumption has a significant negative (-) influence on the consumption behavior of certified food and the choice of local food. Ethical value consumption has a significant positive (+) influence on the selection consumption behavior of certified food and local food. This study is significant because it has identified sustainable food consumption behaviors that domestic consumers can adopt daily. It can use as baseline data for preparing political and institutional measures.
The purpose of study was to examine the factors influencing fast food consumption in Korean adolescents. The analysis was conducted using cross sectional study data from the 16th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey in 2020. A total 54,948 middle and high school students participated in this study. The subjects in the analysis were 28,353 males and 26,595 females, 28,961 middle school and 25,987 high school students. In total, 56.6% Korean adolescents consumed fast food once or twice weekly and 25.4% consumed fast food more than three times weekly. Logistic regression analysis revealed that fast food consumption was significantly associated with dietary behavior such as lower breakfast intake (OR: 0.930, 95%CI: 0.891~0.970, p<0.001), higher soda drinks consumption (OR: 2.563, 95%CI: 2.452~2.678, p<0.001), and higher sweet drinks consumption (OR: 1.898, 95%CI: 1.818~1.982, p<0.001). For psychological and health behavior factors, fast food consumption was also significantly associated with higher perceived stress (OR: 1.239, 95%CI: 1.163-1.321, p<0.001), higher smoking (OR: 1.300, 95%CI: 1.164~1.453, p<0.001), higher drinking (OR: 1.193, 95%CI: 1.112~1.280, p<0.001), higher depression experience, higher loneliness experience, and lower subjective health, In conclusion, fast food consumption in Korean adolescents was associated with undesirable dietary habits and psychological and health behavior, suggesting that appropriate education programs are necessary to reduce such behavior.
This study aimed to investigate the effect of the five senses activities involving food ingredients on the eating behavior of infants. The study was carried out four times over 6 months. We surveyed 65 nursery school infants and teachers who were registered at the 2020 Guro-gu Center for Children’s Food Service Management in Seoul. They participated in the five senses education specialization project. The results of the study showed that the scores relating to unbalanced diet, hygiene management, dietary attitude, and dietary manners were visibly higher than those before participating in the five senses educational activities. In addition, there was a significant difference in the perception of the food ingredients used in the five senses education activities. Finally, as a result of investigating the types of education used before, during, and after the five senses education activities, and the need for education by type, cooking activities were observed to rank higher than other activities in all questions. Based on this, if dietary guidance is provided through a variety of five senses education activities over a long period rather than as a one-time event, it will be beneficial to the children's healthy eating habits.
The purpose of this study is to observe the influence education experience (home, school, and mass media) on reducing practice behavior(purchasing, using, disposing and leading) of food-related wastes. The study also sought to promote strategy and suggest effective activation plans for the vitalization of behavior of reducing food-related wastes. The study subjects were 412 adult consumers who answered a structured questionnaire. The main findings are as follows: First, the scores of home education experience were 3.61±0.71, which was the highest, and 3.45±0.74 for school education experience, which was the lowest. Second, according to factor analysis, the reducing practice behavior of food-related wastes was converged purchasing, using, disposing and leading behavior. The scores of disposing behavior were 3.79±0.67, which was the highest, and 2.87±0.82 for leading behavior, which was the lowest. Third, the common variables influencing the reducing practice behavior(purchasing, using, disposing and leading) of food-related wastes were home education and mass media and the powerful variable influencing was home education. The results of this study can be used as basic data for the development of educational programs for effective food-related waste reduction.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the sustainable practices of nutrition science teachers and dietitians working in school food service operations, and identify the social and psychological factors which affect the overall efficacy of the system. The research model was constructed based on the Extended Theory of Planned Behavior (ETPB) in order to analyze how individual motivation affects the sustainable practices of nutrition science teachers and dietitians. The data were collected through e-mail and postal mail from nutrition science teachers and dietitians all across Korea, and self-administered surveys were conducted. SPSS and AMOS programs were used for statistical analysis. First, the sustainable practices of nutrition science teachers and dietitians were analyzed in 6 different categories. Second, the significant pathways were 6 out of 9 in the ETPB model. Sustainable food service practices in school can contribute to the formation of more a sustainable culture, such as through the encouragement of more healthy eating habits, and higher level of environmental awareness and community awareness. The factors influencing these practices can be applied to the design of improvement programs aimed at increasing sustainable practices.
The purpose of this study was to provide basic information on the development of nutrition education programs to improve the mealtime behavior of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by investigating the mealtime behavior and food preferences of children with ASD through the perception of special education teachers. Surveys were given to 108 special education teachers in special education schools in Korea regarding the demographic characteristics, nutrition education support needs, mealtime behavior, and food preferences of children with ASD. Most of the special education teachers responded that nutrition education in special schools had not been conducted properly and nutrition education for ASD children is necessary. Mealtime behavior analysis classified the behavior into three clusters: cluster 1, ‘less problematic mealtime behavior’; cluster 2, ‘general feature of autism’; cluster 3, ‘difficulty in self-directed diet’. The age, eating habits, and food preferences were different according to each mealtime behavior cluster. Therefore, it will be necessary to develop a nutrition education program based on the characteristics of mealtime behavior.
This study examined the eating habits and preferences of foods according to the age of children with autism spectrum disorders and identified the nutritional needs of parents to support their healthy eating habits and provide basic data for the development of educational programs. A survey of 100 parents of children with autism spectrum disorders was conducted on their children’s snack intake, food preferences, and parents’ nutrition education needs. As a result, there were four times more boys than girls, and the body mass index differed according to age (p<0.001). Most children ate snacks more than once a day, and parents found that they wanted to develop nutritious snacks that could replace high-protein, low-calorie meals with the minimal use of additives. For the food preference, there was a significant difference in grains and starches, vegetables/seafood and fruits, milk and dairy products (p<0.05), fats and sugars, and Korean fermented pastes (p<0.01) between the two age groups. Regarding whether nutrition education was required, many parents had a high demand for nutrition education (4.24±0.70), and the intention to participate was 3.62±1.09. The most important content to be dealt with in parent education was ‘Inducing a change in bad eating habits and behaviors’, which was the highest (63%), and mostly face-to-face education was preferred. In conclusion, young children require diet education, and older children need to focus on weight control and obesity.