Abstract
Policymakers grappling with the obesity crisis are confronted with alarming statistics. Eurostat (2018) reveals that a minimum of 51% of European adults have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 or higher, classifying them as overweight. Such individuals confront elevated risks of various illnesses, including respiratory issues, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and certain cancers
(Jeong and Ham, 2018; WHO, 2017).
Recognizing food consumption as a pivotal avenue for weight reduction and health enhancement, policymakers and government entities have long emphasized the crucial link between food choices and health. Previous research has extensively explored how healthy eating is associated with consumers' mental and emotional states, as well as demographic, psychographic, behavioral, environmental, and situational factors (Halkier 2016; Hill et al., 2018). However, the underlying reasons behind individuals' adherence or non-adherence to healthy eating remain incompletely understood (Shukri et al., 2018; Hill et al., 2018).
Furthermore, the concept of 'healthy eating' is now acknowledged as multifaceted, encompassing not only nutritional guidelines but also the diverse definitions consumers associate with healthy food consumption (Forstmann et al., 2012).
Research suggests that people vary in their personal values, their level of interest in healthy eating, and the definitions they construct for 'healthy eating' (e.g., Hansen et al., 2018; Van Loo et al., 2017). Despite recommendations for a heightened focus on the links between values, definitions of healthy eating, interest in healthy eating, and dietary quality, the relationships among these constructs remain inadequately understood. For instance, to what extent do definitions of healthy eating impact perceived dietary quality? How does the interplay between consumers' values and definitions of healthy eating affect perceived dietary quality? Additionally, how does consumers' interest in healthy eating shape their definitions of healthy eating? Such research questions are the focus of this study.
(Jeong and Ham, 2018; WHO, 2017).
Recognizing food consumption as a pivotal avenue for weight reduction and health enhancement, policymakers and government entities have long emphasized the crucial link between food choices and health. Previous research has extensively explored how healthy eating is associated with consumers' mental and emotional states, as well as demographic, psychographic, behavioral, environmental, and situational factors (Halkier 2016; Hill et al., 2018). However, the underlying reasons behind individuals' adherence or non-adherence to healthy eating remain incompletely understood (Shukri et al., 2018; Hill et al., 2018).
Furthermore, the concept of 'healthy eating' is now acknowledged as multifaceted, encompassing not only nutritional guidelines but also the diverse definitions consumers associate with healthy food consumption (Forstmann et al., 2012).
Research suggests that people vary in their personal values, their level of interest in healthy eating, and the definitions they construct for 'healthy eating' (e.g., Hansen et al., 2018; Van Loo et al., 2017). Despite recommendations for a heightened focus on the links between values, definitions of healthy eating, interest in healthy eating, and dietary quality, the relationships among these constructs remain inadequately understood. For instance, to what extent do definitions of healthy eating impact perceived dietary quality? How does the interplay between consumers' values and definitions of healthy eating affect perceived dietary quality? Additionally, how does consumers' interest in healthy eating shape their definitions of healthy eating? Such research questions are the focus of this study.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Nyhedsbrevet om Forbrugeradfærd |
| Issue number | 40 |
| Pages (from-to) | 2-7 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| ISSN | 2246-2562 |
| Publication status | Published - 2023 |
