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Research on Food Behavior in Romania from the Perspective of Supporting Healthy Eating Habits

Author

Listed:
  • Lelia Voinea

    (The Faculty of Business and Tourism, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 41 Dacia Blvd., Sector 1, Bucharest 010404, Romania)

  • Diana Maria Vrânceanu

    (The Faculty of Marketing, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 41 Dacia Blvd., Sector 1, Bucharest 010404, Romania)

  • Alina Filip

    (The Faculty of Marketing, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 41 Dacia Blvd., Sector 1, Bucharest 010404, Romania)

  • Dorin Vicențiu Popescu

    (The Faculty of Business and Tourism, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 41 Dacia Blvd., Sector 1, Bucharest 010404, Romania)

  • Teodor Mihai Negrea

    (The Faculty of Business and Tourism, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 41 Dacia Blvd., Sector 1, Bucharest 010404, Romania)

  • Răzvan Dina

    (The Faculty of Business and Tourism, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 41 Dacia Blvd., Sector 1, Bucharest 010404, Romania)

Abstract

Today’s human society provides to food consumers many options that involve difficult decisions. Disoriented and stressed by contradictory messages of mass media and by the warnings of being as slim as possible, a modern consumer gets confused and shows a tendency towards losing his traditional habits. Still, most experts suggest that the adoption of a healthy food behavior, based on minimally processed natural products, may contribute to the development of a sustainable food system. The study aims to design the food profile of Romanian consumers by presenting the underlying factors of a balanced diet. The conducted marketing study was of quantitative nature, in which, a face-to-face survey was used. The questionnaire was applied to individuals aged over 18 years old, and the tool used for collecting data was the structured questionnaire applied to a sample of 1185 Romanian respondents. In this study, the following methods of analysis were used: factor analysis, cluster analysis, and structural equation modeling. The research results present the main aspects underlying the food products classification, the clustering of Romanian consumers by their interest in healthy diet, and the relationships between specific variables influencing the healthy food habits. These results have shown the need for supporting educational campaigns targeted at Romanian consumers aimed to develop healthy food habits that could create conditions needed to reshape food supply, and implicitly, to contribute to the development of environmental sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Lelia Voinea & Diana Maria Vrânceanu & Alina Filip & Dorin Vicențiu Popescu & Teodor Mihai Negrea & Răzvan Dina, 2019. "Research on Food Behavior in Romania from the Perspective of Supporting Healthy Eating Habits," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-26, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:19:p:5255-:d:270477
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Lelia Voinea & Dorin Vicențiu Popescu & Mihaela Bucur & Teodor Mihai Negrea & Răzvan Dina & Calcedonia Enache, 2020. "Reshaping the Traditional Pattern of Food Consumption in Romania through the Integration of Sustainable Diet Principles. A Qualitative Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-25, July.
    2. Iuliana Petronela Gârdan & Adrian Micu & Carmen Adina Paștiu & Angela Eliza Micu & Daniel Adrian Gârdan, 2023. "Consumers’ Attitude towards Renewable Energy in the Context of the Energy Crisis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-31, January.
    3. Jana Jaďuďová & Miroslav Badida & Anna Badidová & Iveta Marková & Miriam Ťahúňová & Emília Hroncová, 2020. "Consumer Behavior towards Regional Eco-Labels in Slovakia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-11, June.
    4. Robert Bumbac & Magdalena Bobe & Roxana Procopie & Rodica Pamfilie & Smaranda Giușcă & Calcedonia Enache, 2020. "How Zoomers’ Eating Habits Should be Considered in Shaping the Food System for 2030—A Case Study on the Young Generation from Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-18, September.

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