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Validation of the Scale Knowledge and Perceptions about Edible Insects through Structural Equation Modelling

Author

Listed:
  • Raquel P. F. Guiné

    (CERNAS-IPV Research Centre, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, 3504-510 Viseu, Portugal)

  • João Duarte

    (Health Sciences Research Unit: Nursing (UICISA: E), Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, 3504-510 Viseu, Portugal)

  • Cristina Chuck-Hernández

    (Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Monterrey 64849, Mexico)

  • Nada M. Boustani

    (Faculty of Business and Administration, Saint Joseph University, Beirut 1104 2020, Lebanon)

  • Ilija Djekic

    (Department of Food Safety and Quality Management, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Elena Bartkiene

    (Department of Food Safety and Quality, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania)

  • Marijana Matec Sarić

    (Department of Health Studies, University of Zadar, 23 000 Zadar, Croatia)

  • Maria Papageorgiou

    (Department of Food Science and Technology, International Hellenic University, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Malgorzata Korzeniowska

    (Faculty of Food Science, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 51-630 Wrocław, Poland)

  • Patricia Combarros-Fuertes

    (BALAT Research Group, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of León, 24071 León, Spain)

  • Maša Černelič-Bizjak

    (Department of Nutritional Counseling–Dietetics, Faculty of Health Science, University of Primorska, 6320 Izola, Slovenia)

  • Roxana Martin-Hadmas

    (Department of Community Nutrition and Food Safety, University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania)

  • Evita Straumite

    (Faculty of Food Technology, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, LV 3001 Jelgava, Latvia)

  • Emel Damarli

    (Altıparmak Food Coop, Research & Development Center, 34782 İstanbul, Turkey)

  • Sofia G. Florença

    (CERNAS-IPV Research Centre, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, 3504-510 Viseu, Portugal)

  • Manuela Ferreira

    (Health Sciences Research Unit: Nursing (UICISA: E), Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, 3504-510 Viseu, Portugal)

  • Cristina A. Costa

    (CERNAS-IPV Research Centre, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, 3504-510 Viseu, Portugal)

  • Paula M. R. Correia

    (CERNAS-IPV Research Centre, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, 3504-510 Viseu, Portugal)

  • Ana P. Cardoso

    (CIDEI-IPV Research Centre, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, 3504-510 Viseu, Portugal)

  • Sofia Campos

    (CIDEI-IPV Research Centre, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, 3504-510 Viseu, Portugal)

  • Ofélia Anjos

    (School of Agriculture, Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, 6001-909 Castelo Branco, Portugal
    Forest Research Centre, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, 1349-017 Lisbon, Portugal)

Abstract

Edible insects have been suggested as a more sustainable source of protein, but their consumption varies according to geographical and sociocultural influences. Focusing on the different aspects that can influence people’s attitudes towards edible insects (EI), this work aimed to carry out the statistical validation of an instrument aimed at assessing different dimensions of this field: the KPEI (knowledge and perceptions about EI) scale. The instrument consists of 64 questions distributed by the following dimensions: Culture and Tradition, Gastronomic Innovation and Gourmet Kitchen, Environment and Sustainability, Economic and Social Aspects, Commercialization and Marketing, Nutritional Characteristics, and Health Effects. The data were collected in 13 countries (Croatia, Greece, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, and Turkey). The validation of the KPEI scale was made through Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The results revealed two acceptable models, both retaining 37 of the 64 initial items, distrusted by the seven dimensions as: Culture and Tradition (5 items), Gastronomic Innovation and Gourmet Kitchen (5 items), Environment and Sustainability (8 items), Economic and Social Aspects (5 items), Commercialisation and Marketing (4 items), Nutritional Aspects (6 items), Health Effects (4 items). Both multifactorial models resulting from the CFA/SEM analyses showed approximately equal goodness of statistical fit indices with values of Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA), Root Mean Square Residual (RMR), and Standardized Root Mean Square Residual (SRMR) partially zero and values of Goodness of Fit Index (GFI) and Comparative Fit Index (CFI) approximately one, i.e., very close to a perfect fit. For the first-order model, the ratio between chi-square and degrees of freedom is χ 2 /df = 13.734, GFI = 0.932, CFI = 0.930, RMSEA = 0.043, RMR = 0.042, SRMR = 0.042; and for the second-order model χ 2 /df = 14.697, GFI = 0.926, CFI = 0.923, RMSEA = 0.045, RMR = 0.047, SRMR = 0.046). The values of composite reliability (CR = 0.967) and mean extracted variance (MEV = 0.448) are indicative of a good fit. Finally, the reliability analysis indicated a very good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.941). These results confirm the successful validation of the KPEI scale, making it a valuable instrument for future application at the international level.

Suggested Citation

  • Raquel P. F. Guiné & João Duarte & Cristina Chuck-Hernández & Nada M. Boustani & Ilija Djekic & Elena Bartkiene & Marijana Matec Sarić & Maria Papageorgiou & Malgorzata Korzeniowska & Patricia Combarr, 2023. "Validation of the Scale Knowledge and Perceptions about Edible Insects through Structural Equation Modelling," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-25, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:4:p:2992-:d:1060395
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Raquel P. F. Guiné & Sofia G. Florença & Ofélia Anjos & Nada M. Boustani & Cristina Chuck-Hernández & Marijana Matek Sarić & Manuela Ferreira & Cristina A. Costa & Elena Bartkiene & Ana P. Cardoso & M, 2022. "Are Consumers Aware of Sustainability Aspects Related to Edible Insects? Results from a Study Involving 14 Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-18, October.
    2. Vaclav Smil, 2002. "Eating Meat: Evolution, Patterns, and Consequences," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 28(4), pages 599-639, December.
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