Meaning of food in eating patterns

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to conceptually and empirically verify the meaning of the food construct, while adapting and validating the Meaning of Food in Life Questionnaire proposed by Arbit et al. (2017) into Spanish and comparing groups with specific and non-specific eating patterns in relation to the meaning of food.Design/methodology/approachConfirmatory factor analysis and multivariate analysis involving groups with specific and non-specific eating patterns.FindingsResults show that the adapted version of the scale retained the five food meaning factors, although four items from the original version had to be removed. Multivariate analyses of variance show that there are significant differences in the moral and sacred factors of food meaning when comparing people with specific and non-specific eating patterns. Significant differences in the moral, sacred and social factors were found when comparing between people with a specific diet, vegans/vegetarians and people who do not consume gluten/lactose or are on a diet.Research limitations/implicationsDifferences in the meanings attributed to food can be observed among the different ways people eat. This could have implications on ethics, sustainability and well-being by considering the characteristics of the five factors of food meaning.Originality/valueThis study suggests that food meaning is a complex and rational process, where eating patterns play a key role in the attribution of meaning.

Non-vegan consumers buying vegan food: the moderating role of conformity

“…Animal and environmental concerns were measured respectively on two-item scales derived from Lindeman and Väänänen (2000). Spiritual concern and Health concern scales, both measured on four items, were derived from Arbit et al (2017) and Chinea et al (2020). Constructs were measured on seven-point Likert scales anchored from 1 (completely disagree) to 7 (completely agree).…”

“…Food has always been a central theme for society. In recent years, it has taken on an even more crucial role, as it is closely linked with multiple aspects concerning consumers' lives (Chinea et al , 2020). Among other foods, a remarkable consistency and a strong growth in sales and consumption of vegan products have recently emerged.…”

“…It is the representation of the trends of the society and the economy of a specific moment (Arbit et al , 2017). Hence, food “establishes a link between food choices and other non-food-related domains of life, such as social and cultural connections, to one's own body and health, to Earth and nature, to moral principles and ethical standards of behaviour, as well as the sacred” (Chinea et al , 2020, p. 3332). On one hand, new food and dietary trends are emerging thanks to a higher role played by food in representing ethical, spiritual and health-related principles.…”

“…This research paper focuses on non-vegans' buying behaviour when purchasing vegan food, proposing a theoretical and empirical model aimed at exploring the impact of environmental, animal, spiritual and health concerns on the attitude-intention path. As a matter of fact, among the numerous research topics that are increasingly turning the spotlight on the theme of food and food buying choices, there are aspects related to environmental, animal, spiritual and health concerns (Chinea et al , 2020). The willingness to pay a premium price is investigated as an antecedent of the intention to buy.…”

Local food communities: exploring health-related adaptivity and self-management practices

“…Thus, the notion of CSA participation goes beyond its physical health-related nature and widens CSA participants' perspectives in relation to health: they can create the meaning of food within the CSA environment and they are able to identify and connect with the food and the food system improving health-related outcomes (see Bentsen and Pedersen, 2020). From this point of view, CSA food consumption addresses food-consumption-related personal capabilities, to develop and apply strategies for use of their resources carrying greater significance for food in relation to their own health (see Chinea et al, 2020). Whereas earlier studies suggest CSAs promote positive dietary changes and a healthy food consumption, results of this study serve as a vivid illustration as to how a food consumption provides varied potentials for being healthy.…”