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Food Consumption Behavior and Public Health

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Global Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (24 March 2023) | Viewed by 19575

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Prof. Dr. Yanjun Ren

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Guest Editor

College of Economics and Management, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, Shaanxi, China
Interests: food consumption; nutrition-related health; consumer behavior; agricultural markets
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the rapid changes in urbanization and economic development, especially in the era of Covid pandemic, food consumption behaviors have changed remarkably. Meanwhile, as a result of unhealthy diets and lifestyles, the prevalence of overweigh and obesity shows an increasing trend, driving the global burden of noncommunicable diseases and nutrition-related health issue. Therefore, along the whole food value chain, food strategies should not solely focus on ensuring food security but should also highlight the importance of adequate quantities of safe and good quality foods, achieving a healthy diet. Food consumption behaviors and nutrition-related health could be influenced by various factors under plenty of complex interactions. These factors include family income, food price, individual preferences, geographical and environmental factors, cultural and ethical traditions, as well as food environment, which interplay with each other and shape dietary consumption patterns in specific ways. This special issue aims to gather the studies from various aspects to understand how and to what extent food consumption behaviour could be affected from different aspects and their consequences to the public health. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

Household food consumption patterns;
Food preference and consumption behavior;
Unhealthy or risky consumption behavior;
Role of food environment in food consumption;
Nutrition transition and nutrition-related health issues;
Dietary qaulity and nutrition outcomes;
Future perspectives for food consumption;
Potential challenges of pulic health.

Prof. Dr. Yanjun Ren
Guest Editor

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Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

food consumption
consumer behavior
food security
healthy diet
nutrition transition
public health

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 1303 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Attitudes of Young Tri-City Residents toward Game Meat in the Context of Food Neophobia and a Tendency to Look for Diversity in Food

by Dominika Mesinger, Aneta Ocieczek, Witold Kozirok and Tomasz Owczarek

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(5), 3815; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20053815 - 21 Feb 2023

Viewed by 1129

Abstract

To conduct rational hunting management, a certain number of wild animals must be harvested yearly. However, some countries have a problem with managing the harvested meat. An example is Poland, where game consumption is estimated at 0.08 kg/person/year. This situation leads to environmental pollution as a result of meat exports. The level of environmental pollution depends on the type of transport and distance. However, the use of meat in the country of harvesting would generate less pollution than its export. Three constructs were used in the study, which aimed to determine whether the respondents show food neophobia, whether they are willing to seek diversity in food, and what their attitudes towards game meat are. All the scales used were previously validated. Four-hundred and fifty-three questionnaires were collected using the PAPI method. It was found that the respondents showed ambivalent attitudes towards game meat to the greatest extent (76.6%), 16.34% had positive attitudes, and 7.06% had negative attitudes. It seems essential that most of the respondents were highly inclined to look for variety in food (55.85%). Regarding food neophobia, there were 51.43% of people with medium neophobia, while also many people with a low level of neophobia—43.05%. Such results allow speculation that the respondents are open to the new food, they are looking for it, and the low level of game meat consumption is primarily due to the lack of knowledge and awareness about the value of this meat. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Consumption Behavior and Public Health)

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20 pages, 392 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Food Security in the Time of COVID-19 for a Marshallese Community

by Marcia A. Shobe, Sophie Hill, Yvette Murphy-Erby, Baqir Fateh and Haixia Wang

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 3189; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043189 - 11 Feb 2023

Viewed by 1127

Abstract

Using an individual and family ecological systems model, we explored food security among a Marshallese cohort in Northwest Arkansas during the COVID-19 pandemic. We hypothesized that Marshallese households were experiencing high rates of food insecurity due to socioeconomic and systemic risk factors. Seventy-one Marshallese adults shared socioeconomic information about their household via an online survey. Descriptive results indicate that 91% of respondents report food insecurity. In terms of systemic barriers, almost half of Marshallese respondents do not have health insurance. Additionally, while most respondents report feeling calm, peaceful, and energetic, paradoxically, 81% report feeling depressed and downhearted at least some of the time. Logistic regression findings suggest that food insecurity is significantly related to education levels and household economic strain. These results are analogous with national findings, whereby non-native households are more likely to experience higher levels of food insecurity, lower rates of education, and higher economic strain than native households. As a collective community, the Marshallese could benefit from culturally responsive individual and family systems approaches for improving educational, social, financial, and health opportunities through workforce development, household income and asset development, and food security initiatives. Additional implications for policy, practice, and research are provided. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Consumption Behavior and Public Health)

17 pages, 1240 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Service Value and Repurchase Intention in the Egyptian Fast-Food Restaurants: Toward a New Measurement Model

by Abdelhalim R. Doeim, Thowayeb H. Hassan, Mohamed Y. Helal, Mahmoud I. Saleh, Amany E. Salem and Mohamed A. S. Elsayed

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 15779; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192315779 - 27 Nov 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3214

Abstract

Service value is a crucial dominant indicator in customer decision-making. However, there is a lack of hospitality literature that investigates the multi-dimensional service value in emerging markets. Thus, this study aims to create a multi-dimensional scale for service value and to analyze how different service value dimensions affect customers repurchase intentions at fast-food restaurants. We make a conceptual framework with eight constructs, including service value and repurchase intention. A self-administrated questionnaire is used to gather empirical data from fast-food restaurant customers in Egypt. We employ confirmatory factor analysis to extract the model’s reliability and validity. Moreover, we use a structural equation model to extract the model regressions and correlations using AMOS software. We find that each of the eight proposed service value variables impacts fast-food restaurant customers’ repurchase intention. However, the factors that strongly influence customers’ preferences to make more purchases are service equity, confidence benefits, service quality, and service reputation. We contribute to the literature on hospitality customer value and repurchasing intentions by presenting a comprehensive multi-dimensional service value framework that affects customers’ repurchase intentions in fast-food restaurants. Practically, eight service value variables can help managers of fast-food restaurants meet customer needs and gain a competitive advantage. We suggest many crucial recommendations to restaurant managers regarding the priority of the service value constructs. For example, managers should consider service equity, service quality, and service reputations as a priority of the restaurant service value. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Consumption Behavior and Public Health)

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15 pages, 2873 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Shrinking Working-Age Population and Food Demand: Evidence from Rural China

by Xinru Han, Ping Xue, Wenbo Zhu, Xiudong Wang and Guojing Li

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 14578; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114578 - 07 Nov 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1484

Abstract

China is facing a rapidly aging population, and the proportion of the working-age population (WAP) is showing a decreasing trend. In this study, we use a two-stage budgeting quadratic almost-ideal demand system framework to estimate the distribution of food demand elasticity under different proportions of the WAP in rural China. The results show that the income elasticities of rural residents’ demand for fruits and vegetables, animal products, oils and fats, and grains were 0.73, 0.65, 0.55, and 0.48, respectively. Additionally, the income elasticity of rural residents tended to increase as the household proportion of the WAP decreased. These results can provide a deeper understanding of the food consumption patterns of rural residents in China, and could be used in general or partial equilibrium models to forecast food supply and demand. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Consumption Behavior and Public Health)

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22 pages, 1839 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Determinants of Food Waste from Household Food Consumption: A Case Study from Field Survey in Germany

by Henrike Hermanussen, Jens-Peter Loy and Bekhzod Egamberdiev

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 14253; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114253 - 31 Oct 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3477

Abstract

According to FAO about one-third of the food worldwide is discarded. The economic, environmental, and social (ethical) impact of food loss and waste (FLW) is substantial. Food waste (FW) at the household level in high income countries makes a significant share of total FLW. Target 12.3 of the Sustainable Development Goals advocates a 50% reduction of the global per capita FW by 2030. The German government has agreed to this goal. Across all sectors, about half of the waste is avoidable. To achieve a reduction of FLW, information on the current level, its causes, and the economic costs of its reduction are necessary. Depending on the definitions and methodologies to measure FLW, studies have come to different results. This study estimates and analyses avoidable and total household FW and for the first time its determinants in Germany. On average, 59.6 kg per capita of food is wasted annually, of which 49% is avoidable FW. The main causes of household FW are eating habits, shopping behaviour, involvement in FW, and retail promotions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Consumption Behavior and Public Health)

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11 pages, 940 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Determinants of Consumers’ Behavior in Reducing Pesticide Residues in Vegetables and Fruits, Northern Thailand

by Ratana Sapbamrer and Jiraporn Chittrakul

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(20), 13033; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013033 - 11 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1161

Abstract

Pesticide residues in vegetables in northern Thailand exceed the maximum residue limits established by the European Union. Therefore, improved knowledge and behavior in reducing pesticide residues in vegetables and fruits (VF) would reduce the risk of exposure to pesticides. This study aims to investigate the contributing factors of consumers’ behavior in reducing pesticide residues in VF. The differences in knowledge, attitude, and behavior in reducing pesticide residues in VF between consumers living in rural and urban communities of Chiang Mai, Thailand were also investigated. The cross-sectional study was carried out during August and October 2021 with 456 participants. Data was collected from participants using a Google form questionnaire. The results indicated that pesticide-free was the top-ranked consideration for VF purchasing. Linear regression analysis found that factors associated with consumers’ behavior in reducing pesticide residues in VF were total knowledge scores (Beta (β) ± standard error (SE.) = 1.15 ± 0.18, 95%CI = 0.79, 1.51), total attitude scores (β ± SE. = 1.30 ± 0.49, 95%CI = 3.87, 10.40), having co-morbidity (β ± SE. = 3.2 ± 1.37, 95%CI = 0.52, 5.90), type of VF purchasing (β ± SE. = 1.98 ± 0.57, 95%CI = 0.85, 3.11), frequency of VF purchasing (β ± SE. = 3.81 ± 1.18, 95%CI = 1.49, 6.13), price of VF products (β ± SE. = −2.23 ± 1.13, 95%CI = −4.45, −0.02), and getting information from the broadcasting tower in the village (β ± SE. = 7.13 ± 1.66, 95%CI = 0.32, 2.27). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Consumption Behavior and Public Health)

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16 pages, 526 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Does Smartphone Use Improve the Dietary Diversity of Rural Residents? Evidence from Household Survey Data from 5 Provinces

by Ting Jin and Lei Li

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(17), 11129; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191711129 - 05 Sep 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1555

Abstract

The use of smartphones has profoundly changed the consumption patterns and living conditions of rural residents, but there is little research on how smartphone use affects the food consumption patterns of rural residents. This paper uses survey data from 1047 farmers from five Chinese provinces in 2020 to investigate the impact of smartphone use on the dietary diversity of rural residents, the underlying mechanism, and the corresponding group-level heterogeneity. The study finds that smartphone use has a significantly positive effect on the dietary diversity of rural residents and that the dietary diversity scores of rural residents who use smartphones to access the internet are a significant 4.2% higher than those of rural residents who do not. The results are robust to the use of instrumental variables and propensity score matching to account for potential endogeneity. The income effect and the transaction cost effect are the two mechanisms by which smartphone use improves the dietary diversity of rural residents. Compared with elderly residents and members of low-income households, young and middle-aged people and members of high-income households are more likely to use smartphones to improve their dietary diversity. The following recommendations for further improving the dietary diversity of rural residents are made: continue to increase the internet penetration rate and smartphone coverage rate in rural areas, conduct public welfare lectures on smartphone usage and nutrition and health knowledge, and improve the e-commerce distribution infrastructure in rural areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Consumption Behavior and Public Health)

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17 pages, 6612 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Street Food and Takeaway Food Purchasing Patterns in Bosnia and Herzegovina

by Sofia Sousa, Inês Lança de Morais, Gabriela Albuquerque, Marcello Gelormini, Aida Filipović-Hadžiomeragić, Dragana Stojisavljevic, Albertino Damasceno, Pedro Moreira, João Breda, Nuno Lunet and Patrícia Padrão

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(15), 9086; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159086 - 26 Jul 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1633

Abstract

This study aimed to describe street food and takeaway food purchasing patterns in Sarajevo and Banja Luka, throughout the day and by city location. A cross-sectional evaluation of street food and takeaway food customers was conducted in 2017. All eligible vending sites (n = 348) in the vicinity of selected markets and bus stops were included. Data on the food items purchased, and time and geographic location of the purchases were collected. A total of 755 customers purchased 929 food items. Takeaway venues showed higher customer influx (5.0 vs. 2.0 customers observed per 10 min of observation, p < 0.001) and buying rates (6.7 vs. 2.0 items bought per 10 min of observation, p < 0.001; 1.5 vs. 1.0 items bought per customer, p < 0.001) than street food sites. These rates were higher in city peripheries for street food venues, and in city centres for takeaway establishments. The purchase of industrial food products prevailed throughout the day in street food venues, whereas most takeaway purchases comprised homemade foods, with or without industrial beverages. The proportion of customers buying foods and beverages together was higher in takeaway venues (15.3% vs. 6.0%, p < 0.001), especially during lunchtime and in city centres. In street food vending sites, sweet and savoury snacks seemed to be preferred in the afternoon, whereas in takeaway food establishments, savoury pastries and main dishes were mostly purchased at breakfast or lunch, and bread during the morning. Soft drinks and industrial juices were frequently purchased in both types of vending site and at all hours of the day, particularly in the afternoon. Our findings provide an overview of street food and takeaway food buying habits and consumer demands in these cities, reflecting local food culture and dietary behaviours. The identification of the meal contexts and city sub-regions in which specific purchasing practices emerge point to potential priority targets. These insights can be useful when designing interventions adapted to the specificities of these food environments and the food habits of customers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Consumption Behavior and Public Health)

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11 pages, 346 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association between Diet Quality and Health Outcomes among Children in Rural Areas of Northwest China

by Wanni Yang, Shaoping Li, Yuhe Guo, Yunli Bai and Chengfang Liu

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(13), 7803; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19137803 - 25 Jun 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1549

Abstract

This study aims to examine the relationship between diet quality and health outcomes among children in rural remote areas of China. We draw on a cross-sectional dataset of 1216 children from two counties in the Gansu Province in Northwest China. Child health outcomes were assessed with both anthropometric measurements and reports by primary caregivers of the children. Child diet quality was assessed with the diet quality score (DQS) using information from a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Our data show the prevalence of stunting and underweight among sample children were 12% and 11%, respectively; 27% of children were reported by their caregivers as unhealthy, and 60% of children had at least one of the seventeen selected non-communicable diseases (NCDs) over the past 14 days. Overall, 780 (72%) children have at least one of the four above-mentioned health problems. Results from logistic regression models show that a higher DQS was significantly associated with a lower likelihood of being stunted and a higher likelihood of being reported healthy after adjusting for confounders. These findings imply that improving child diet quality might be an option when designing interventions to improve child health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Consumption Behavior and Public Health)

16 pages, 356 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Peer Effect on Dietary and Nutritional Cognition among Primary School Students

by Lei Gao, Ruotong Li, Peiyan Zhao and Ying Zhang

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(13), 7727; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19137727 - 23 Jun 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1663

Abstract

This study uses data from a 2018 survey of 11,384 students in five Chinese provinces to investigate the peer effect on students’ dietary and nutritional cognition. Children’s eating habits have an important impact on their growth and health. Studies have shown that students’ dietary behavior is mainly affected by their dietary and nutritional cognition. Therefore, studying the influencing factors of elementary school students’ cognition of diet and nutrition has become an important research question. However, there are few discussions about the impact of peers’ dietary and nutritional cognition on students’ cognition of diet and nutrition. Consequently, this paper studied the peer effect on students’ cognition of diet and nutrition. The results indicated that peers had a significant impact on the students’ dietary and nutritional cognition. The endogeneity problem was solved using peers’ parents’ dietary and nutritional cognition scores and average educational level as instrumental variables. The impact of peer cognition on diet and nutrition was heterogeneous among different groups. The significance and degree of the peer effect differed based on peer relations, gender, age and school. The results indicated that in addition to family, school, teachers and other factors, peers were an important influencing factor. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Consumption Behavior and Public Health)

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