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Insights into the Predictors of Attitude toward Entomophagy: The Potential Role of Health Literacy: A Cross-Sectional Study Conducted in a Sample of Students of the University of Florence

Author

Listed:
  • Chiara Lorini

    (Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, v.le Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Laura Ricotta

    (Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, v.le Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Virginia Vettori

    (Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, v.le Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Marco Del Riccio

    (School of Specialization in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, v.le Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Massimiliano Alberto Biamonte

    (School of Specialization in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, v.le Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Guglielmo Bonaccorsi

    (Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, v.le Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy)

Abstract

In Western countries, one of the main barriers to entomophagy is repulsion toward insects. Few studies have investigated the factors that influence attitudes toward entomophagy. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional study involving a sample of 248 university students, focusing on disgust and other potential attributes that can influence insect consumption, including health literacy. We used a 17-item self-administered questionnaire. Consistent with the literature, two items were chosen as outcome variables to evaluate the predictors of the propensity to consume insects: “Have you ever eaten insects or insect-based products?” and “How disgusting do you find eating insects?” The data analysis shows that having already eaten insects is inversely associated with the level of disgust (OR: 0.1, p < 0.01); and it is positively associated with higher levels of health literacy (OR: 3.66, p > 0.01). Additionally, having some knowledge and information about entomophagy is inversely associated with a higher level of disgust (OR: 0.44, p = 0.03 and OR: 0.25, p = 0.03, respectively), while being female is positively associated with disgust (OR: 3.26, p < 0.01). Our results suggest the potential role of health literacy, in addition to other factors, in influencing the willingness to taste insects. However, further studies involving larger and non-convenience samples are needed to confirm our hypothesis.

Suggested Citation

  • Chiara Lorini & Laura Ricotta & Virginia Vettori & Marco Del Riccio & Massimiliano Alberto Biamonte & Guglielmo Bonaccorsi, 2021. "Insights into the Predictors of Attitude toward Entomophagy: The Potential Role of Health Literacy: A Cross-Sectional Study Conducted in a Sample of Students of the University of Florence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-14, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:10:p:5306-:d:555925
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Menozzi, Davide & Mora, Cristina & Sogari, Giovanni, 2019. "Edible Insects in the Food Sector: Methods, Current Applications and Perspective," 2019 Eighth AIEAA Conference, June 13-14, Pistoia, Italy 300915, Italian Association of Agricultural and Applied Economics (AIEAA).
    2. Virginia Vettori & Chiara Lorini & Chiara Milani & Guglielmo Bonaccorsi, 2019. "Towards the Implementation of a Conceptual Framework of Food and Nutrition Literacy: Providing Healthy Eating for the Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-21, December.
    3. Bublitz, Melissa G. & Peracchio, Laura A. & Andreasen, Alan R. & Kees, Jeremy & Kidwell, Blair & Miller, Elizabeth Gelfand & Motley, Carol M. & Peter, Paula C. & Rajagopal, Priyali & Scott, Maura L. &, 2013. "Promoting positive change: Advancing the food well-being paradigm," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 66(8), pages 1211-1218.
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