Consumer demand for healthy eating considering diversity – an economic approach for German individuals

Larissa Drescher, Silke Thiele, Jutta Roosen, Gert B. Mensink

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Rising incidence and costs of diet-related diseases have led to nutritionists' and economists' interest in factors determining the demand for healthy eating. The present study analyses the demand for healthy eating by the use of a new food-based indicator, which combines the health value and diversity of a food basket. Although the diversity aspect gains in importance in recommendations for healthy eating it was not considered adequately in healthy eating indicators until now. Within the household production theory the new indicator is used to identify factors influencing the demand for healthy food diversity for 3220 German individuals. The results of regression analyses show that the demand for a healthy diet is influenced by age and mainly by knowledge, attitudinal and behavioural (proxy-)variables as education level, participation in a health training course and sport activity. On the basis of these findings conclusions are drawn for health and nutrition policy in Germany and Europe.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)684-696
Number of pages13
JournalInternational Journal of Consumer Studies
Volume33
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2009

Keywords

  • Consumer demand
  • Food diversity
  • Healthy eating
  • Regression analysis

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