Motivations for nutrition information-seeking behavior among Belgian adults: a qualitative study

Abstract

Background Nutrition information-seeking behavior is highly prevalent even though it can be challenging to find reliable nutrition information in the current media landscape. Previous quantitative research has identified which population segments use which sources, yet little is known about motivations underpinning nutrition information-seeking behavior. Understanding motivations for seeking nutrition information can increase the efficacy of future nutrition education efforts. The present study aims to identify motivations for nutrition information-seeking behavior among Belgian adults. Methods In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 adults (n women = 15, n men = 4, n other = 1). Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed in NVivo 12 using inductive thematic analysis. The coding process involved open and axial coding combined with constant comparison to identify themes. Results The interviews revealed a diverse spectrum of motivations for nutrition information-seeking behavior. Five categories of motivations centered on health management, cognitive needs, affective needs, social integrative needs, and personal identity. Participants indicated seeking nutrition information to regain a sense of control over their health and it also helped them express their autonomy. Additionally, participants sought nutrition information out of curiosity or out of a long-standing interest. Nutrition information-seeking was also used as a form of emotion regulation with participants actively engaging in seeking behavior to pursue enjoyment, diversion, confirmation, inspiration, and even relaxation. Furthermore, nutrition information-seeking enabled participants to meet social integrative needs by helping them connect to others, gather social support, help others, and sometimes convince others. Lastly, participants indicated a need for nutrition information to express or defend their identity. Conclusions Our results indicate that beneath the surface of a more apparent need for nutrition information lies a range of motivations demonstrating that nutrition information serves more complex needs than simply information needs. To improve the efficacy of future nutrition education efforts, communication strategies must be tailored to a diverse range of motivations.

Prevalence and Correlates of Dietary and Nutrition Information Seeking Through Various Web-Based and Offline Media Sources Among Japanese Adults: Web-Based Cross-Sectional Study

“…Further, for every web-based media source, nutrition professionals are ultimately responsible for and able to contribute to the creation and promotion of evidence-based content on topics that are popular [ 16 , 17 , 93 ] among the public [ 13 , 94 ]. Simultaneously, consideration should be given to the practicality and utility of the information [ 6 ] as well as to the affective needs (eg, enjoyment) and cognitive needs (eg, interest) of information [ 15 ], all of which are essential to the effective dissemination of dietary and nutrition information.…”

“…To our knowledge, only a few studies have investigated the lifestyle (especially dietary) profiles of people seeking dietary and nutrition information from various media sources [25,26,[35][36][37][38][39][40]. This type of study is of utmost importance, given not only that our eating habits have a significant impact on our health [1] but also that the general media landscape is filled with dietary misinformation [14][15][16][17]. In this study, after adjustment for potential confounding factors, nutrition information seeking from newspapers and books and magazines (but not television, web searches, websites of government and medical manufacturers, and video sites) was positively associated with diet quality.…”

“…However, owing to the lack of regulations and ease of creating and sharing web-based information, consumers have access to an abundance of web-based information of variable quality and accuracy [13,14]. Consequently, nutrition and health professionals increasingly struggle with disseminating evidence-based nutrition information in a web-based media landscape filled with unreliable and contradictory nutrition information (ie, misinformation) [14][15][16][17].…”

#Fail: the quality and accuracy of nutrition-related information by influential Australian Instagram accounts

“…As the Internet has become more accessible, individuals have increasingly utilised it to source information about nutrition. Consumers seek nutrition information for various reasons including health management, curiosity, and interest [ 13 ]. Nutrition information is content that provides the general public with guidance on sourcing, storing, preparing and consuming food to support good health, and includes recipes, product details, healthy-eating advice and nutritional requirements (defined in full in Table 1 ).…”