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Insect-Based Food: A (Free) Choice

Author

Listed:
  • Oliva M. D. Martins

    (Instituto Politécnico de Bragança (IPB), Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal)

  • Rocsana Bucea-Manea-Țoniș

    (Doctoral School, National University of Physical Education and Sport, 060057 Bucharest, Romania
    USH Pro Business, Spiru Haret University, 030167 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Jasmina Bašić

    (The College of Health Sciences, Academy of Applied Studies Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Ana Sofia Coelho

    (Instituto Politécnico de Bragança (IPB), Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
    GOVCOPP-UA, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal)

  • Violeta-Elena Simion

    (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Spiru Haret University, 030352 Bucharest, Romania)

Abstract

The literature highlights the importance of insect consumption for nutritional health habits. The increasingly clear legislation, the developed studies demonstrating their nutritional value, and the prospect of overcoming some barriers that have prevented consumers from consuming insects are among the reasons supporting the advantages of consuming insects. The leading determinants of consumption are culture and individual and social beliefs, accessibility to a particular nutritional resource, and individual behavior. The barriers to neophobia were analyzed by evaluating factors of influence and their respective relationship and meaning through quantitative research to measure the significance of the results. To develop a conceptual model that aims to change eating behavior and recognize structural aspects that can be barriers in the process of changing eating behavior, a methodological framework was developed. The methodological framework aimed to identify the characteristics that can be associated with the profile of opinion leaders, and it included a questionnaire which was applied to 213 young people. Moreover, the structural equation model was the statistical technique used. Given the projected population growth and increasing life expectancy, nutrition is a challenge in terms of health, but also in economic, social, and environmental respects. Aiming for sustainability, it is crucial to identify nutritional alternatives within the circular economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Oliva M. D. Martins & Rocsana Bucea-Manea-Țoniș & Jasmina Bašić & Ana Sofia Coelho & Violeta-Elena Simion, 2022. "Insect-Based Food: A (Free) Choice," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-22, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:12:p:7186-:d:837014
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Irina Zamfirache, 2023. "Entomophagy—Acceptance or Hesitancy in Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-16, June.
    2. Oliva M. D. Martins & Rocsana Bucea-Manea-Țoniș & Ana Sofia Coelho & Violeta-Elena Simion, 2022. "Sensory Perception Nudge: Insect-Based Food Consumer Behavior," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-18, September.

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