IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v22y2025i5p766-d1654603.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Is the Impact of Food Insecurity on Food-Related Behavior Moderated by Generation in South Korea?

Author

Listed:
  • Hyo Sun Jung

    (Center for Converging Humanities, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea)

  • Yu Hyun Hwang

    (College of Hotel & Tourism Management, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea)

  • Hye Hyun Yoon

    (College of Hotel & Tourism Management, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea)

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to determine whether perceived food insecurity significantly influences food purchasing behaviors, food preparation practices, and life satisfaction; and to verify the moderating effect of generation in South Korea. Structural equation modeling and multi-group analyses were conducted to confirm the research model and test the hypotheses. Perceived food insecurity positively influenced food purchasing behaviors and food preparation practices. In addition, this study verified the presence of a significant negative relationship between perceived food insecurity and life satisfaction. Notably, a greater awareness of food insecurity in Generation M increased food preparation practices, and the negative impact of perceived food insecurity on life satisfaction was more strongly exhibited in the older generation than in the younger generation. This presents a need to pay greater attention to food insecurity issues at the government level and accelerate related future research. Specifically, it will be necessary to establish a structured educational environment and support services for systematic food security education. Also, rather than educating people with high levels of perceived food insecurity about why they should eat healthy food, proactive efforts should first be made to remove barriers to healthy eating habits. As a preventive measure against the worsening of food insecurity, more solutions should be prepared from a macroscopic perspective in addition to implications from the microscopic perspective mentioned so far.

Suggested Citation

  • Hyo Sun Jung & Yu Hyun Hwang & Hye Hyun Yoon, 2025. "Is the Impact of Food Insecurity on Food-Related Behavior Moderated by Generation in South Korea?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(5), pages 1-15, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:5:p:766-:d:1654603
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/22/5/766/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/22/5/766/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Craig Gundersen & Brent Kreider & John Pepper, 2011. "The Economics of Food Insecurity in the United States," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 33(3), pages 281-303.
    2. Nicole Reeder & Pradtana Tapanee & Anna Persell & Terezie Tolar-Peterson, 2020. "Food Insecurity, Depression, and Race: Correlations Observed Among College Students at a University in the Southeastern United States," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-11, November.
    3. Blumberg, S.J. & Bialostosky, K. & Hamilton, W.L. & Briefel, R.R., 1999. "The effectiveness of a short form of the household food security scale," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 89(8), pages 1231-1234.
    4. Baek, Seong-Uk & Yoon, Jin-Ha, 2025. "The mediating role of food insecurity in the relationship between income poverty and depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation: A nationwide study of Korean adults," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 373(C).
    5. Bebiana Marques & Jorge Azevedo & Isilda Rodrigues & Conceição Rainho & Carla Gonçalves, 2022. "Food Insecurity Levels among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study," Societies, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-11, November.
    6. E. Huebner, 2004. "Research on Assessment of Life Satisfaction of Children and Adolescents," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 66(1), pages 3-33, April.
    7. Raufhon Salahodjaev & Ziroat Mirziyoyeva, 2021. "The Link between Food Security and Life Satisfaction: Panel Data Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-9, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Sunjin Ahn & Travis A. Smith & F. Bailey Norwood, 2020. "Can Internet Surveys Mimic Food Insecurity Rates Published by the US Government?," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 42(2), pages 187-204, June.
    2. Pellowski, Jennifer A. & Barnett, Whitney & Kuo, Caroline C. & Koen, Nastassja & Zar, Heather J. & Stein, Dan J., 2017. "Investigating tangible and mental resources as predictors of perceived household food insecurity during pregnancy among women in a South African birth cohort study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 76-84.
    3. Christopher M. Bacon & Gregory A. Baker, 2017. "The rise of food banks and the challenge of matching food assistance with potential need: towards a spatially specific, rapid assessment approach," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 34(4), pages 899-919, December.
    4. Nicholas Moellman, 2020. "Healthcare and Hunger: Effects of the ACA Medicaid Expansions on Food Insecurity in America," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 42(2), pages 168-186, June.
    5. Brizmohun, Roshini & Duffy, Patricia A., 2016. "Do Personal Attitudes about Welfare Influence Food Stamp Participation?," 2016 Annual Meeting, July 31-August 2, Boston, Massachusetts 235698, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    6. Joseph S Lightner & Serena Rajabiun & Howard J Cabral & Jessica Flaherty & Jamie Shank & Ronald Brooks, 2021. "Associations of internalized and anticipated HIV stigma with returning to work for persons living with HIV," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(6), pages 1-10, June.
    7. repec:mpr:mprres:3679 is not listed on IDEAS
    8. Robert G. Wood & Anu Rangarajan & John Deke, "undated". "WFNJ Clients Under Welfare Reform: How Is an Early Group Faring Over Time?," Mathematica Policy Research Reports 32fc33e1160a4682b83019769, Mathematica Policy Research.
    9. Irma Arteaga & Colleen Heflin & Sarah Parsons, 2019. "Design Flaws: Consequences of the Coverage Gap in Food Programs for Children at Kindergarten Entry," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 41(2), pages 265-283, June.
    10. Susana Marques & J. Pais-Ribeiro & Shane Lopez, 2011. "The Role of Positive Psychology Constructs in Predicting Mental Health and Academic Achievement in Children and Adolescents: A Two-Year Longitudinal Study," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 12(6), pages 1049-1062, December.
    11. Satish Kumar & Filomena Maggino & Raj V. Mahto & Riya Sureka & Leonardo Salvatore Alaimo & Weng Marc Lim, 2022. "Social Indicators Research: A Retrospective Using Bibliometric Analysis," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 162(1), pages 413-448, July.
    12. Yipeng Tang, 2019. "Immigration Status and Adolescent Life Satisfaction: An International Comparative Analysis Based on PISA 2015," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 20(5), pages 1499-1518, June.
    13. Chei Bukari & Millicent Abigail Aning-Agyei & Christian Kyeremeh & Gloria Essilfie & Kofi Fosu Amuquandoh & Anthony Akwesi Owusu & Isaac Christopher Otoo & Kpanja Ibrahim Bukari, 2022. "Effect of COVID-19 on Household Food Insecurity and Poverty: Evidence from Ghana," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 159(3), pages 991-1015, February.
    14. Cotti, Chad D. & Gordanier, John M. & Ozturk, Orgul D., 2020. "Hunger pains? SNAP timing and emergency room visits," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    15. Jorge J. Varela & Javier Guzmán & Jaime Alfaro & Fernando Reyes, 2019. "Bullying, Cyberbullying, Student Life Satisfaction and the Community of Chilean Adolescents," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 14(3), pages 705-720, July.
    16. Ricarda Steinmayr & Linda Wirthwein & Laura Modler & Margaret M. Barry, 2019. "Development of Subjective Well-Being in Adolescence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-23, September.
    17. Lotta Uusitalo-Malmivaara & Juhani Lehto, 2013. "Social Factors Explaining Children’s Subjective Happiness and Depressive Symptoms," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 111(2), pages 603-615, April.
    18. Ferran Casas & Cristina Figuer & Mònica González & Sara Malo, 2007. "The Values Adolescents Aspire to, Their Well-being and the Values Parents Aspire to for Their Children," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 84(3), pages 271-290, December.
    19. Ben-Arieh, Asher & Shimon, Edna, 2014. "Subjective well-being and perceptions of safety among Jewish and Arab children in Israel," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 100-107.
    20. Yunhee Chang & Swarn Chatterjee & Jinhee Kim, 2014. "Household Finance and Food Insecurity," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 35(4), pages 499-515, December.
    21. Joshua D. Lohnes, 2021. "Regulating surplus: charity and the legal geographies of food waste enclosure," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 38(2), pages 351-363, June.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:5:p:766-:d:1654603. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.