Food consumption patterns and healthy eating across the household life cycle in Hungary

Abstract

The family or household life‐cycle concept has a significant place in the consumer behaviour literature. The ideology reflects the different lifestyle, income and expenditure patterns brought about by family‐form transitions. The household life‐cycle model is accepted as a predictive tool of household expenditures; however, this predictive ability is debated. The different life‐cycle stages may also have an affect on dietary habits and health consciousness. Several studies supported that the family form has a strong influence on children's food consumption. Some examples, which are heavily influenced by the family form and likewise the family life‐cycle stages, are fruit and vegetable intake, breakfast consumption and healthy eating in general. The present study focuses on eating patterns and healthy eating in various stages of the household life cycle. A total of 518 questionnaires were completed in a form of face‐to‐face interviews in Hungary in November 2008, in which the respondents were analysed according to the categories of the household life cycle. Eating patterns and healthy eating were measured by nutrition awareness with statements such as choice of fast food restaurants, the characteristics of meal and the frequency of cooking from fresh ingredients. Current results suggest that the construct of the household life‐cycle model is a valid tool to understand the food intake and healthy eating within different family forms.

Assessing parental traits affecting children’s food habits: an analysis of the determinants of responsible consumption

“…Most of previous research highlighted the effect of family income on food habits. Specifically, high-income families adopt a healthier diet, characterized by a high intake of fruit, vegetables, fish, and dairy products; further, they prefer-for their children-foods rich in protein, polyunsaturated fats, folic acid, calcium, and iron (Neulinger and Simon 2011). Conversely, low-income families consume, in large amount, meat products, whole milk, fats, sugars, potatoes, and cereals, while the consumption of fruit and vegetables is smaller (Patrick and Nicklas 2005).…”

Community supported agriculture membership: The benefits of spousal involvement

“…Participation in a CSA community may significantly change the food shopping habits of the primary food shopper of the family, and also often impacts on the food consumption of the whole household (Kis, 2014;Russell & Zepeda, 2008;Thompson & Coskuner-Balli, 2007). It is evident that the family has a strong effect on individuals' healthy eating, sustainable consumption or eating local (Bingen et al, 2011;Neulinger & Simon, 2011;Salazar, Oerlemans, & Stroe-Biezen, 2013). Not surprisingly, family involvement in food preparation, shared approaches in regard to CSA vegetables use among participants, and family members are important elements of experiences of belonging to a CSA (Uribe et al, 2012;Wharton et al, 2015).…”

Food Consumption within Greek Households: Further Evidence from a National Representative Sample

“…They found that male household members place greater demands on household food supplies than female members. In summary, household size, employment status, marital status, gender, region of living and other several demographic characteristics also influence the level of food spending due to the differences in their roles and preferences within the household (Nayga 1995;Teklu 1996;Jae et al 2000;Mihalopoulos and Demoussis 2001;Oygard 2000;Sabates et al 2001;Hossain 2002;Kirkpatrick and Tarasuk 2003;Thiele and Weiss 2003;Guest et al 2006;Ricciuto et al 2006;Moss et al 2007;García and Grande 2010;Jacobson et al 2010;Neulinger and Simon 2011;Barigozzi et al 2012;Tekguc 2012;Liu et al 2013;Kostakis 2014;Humphries et al 2017;Marques et al 2018).…”