Impact of Psychology on Organic Food Consumption

Research Focus

A team of researchers examined the influence of individual psychology on organic food purchasing behaviors. The study aimed to determine whether a person’s Consideration of Future Consequences (CFC) played a role in their likelihood of buying organic products.

Understanding Consideration of Future Consequences

In recent years, the sales of organic foods have seen a significant rise. While numerous factors contribute to this trend, the psychological aspect has not been extensively explored. To address this gap, researchers in France investigated how CFC affects organic food purchases. CFC measures the degree to which individuals contemplate the potential future outcomes of their current actions. The primary question posed was whether individuals with a higher CFC are more inclined to let future consequences influence their present choices.

Methodology

The research utilized data from the NutriNet-Santé Study, a prospective longitudinal study designed to explore the relationship between nutrition and eating behaviors. Participants, aged 18 and older from the general French population, completed web-based questionnaires regarding their diet, physical activity, health, socioeconomic status, and lifestyle.

CFC was assessed using the French version of the CFC-12 questionnaire, completed between June and November 2014. This self-report questionnaire included 12 items that gauged participants’ future-oriented thinking concerning the consequences of their behaviors. Additionally, organic food consumption was evaluated through an organic food frequency questionnaire (Org-FFQ) administered from June to October 2014, which required participants to report their consumption of 264 different food items over the past year. A total of 27,634 participants completed all three questionnaires, and their results formed the basis of the researchers’ analysis.

Findings

The findings were published in the Nutrition Journal, revealing that participants with higher CFC scores exhibited a greater likelihood of consuming organic food compared to those with lower CFC scores. Notably, individuals with high CFCs tended to be younger, more educated, and have a lower Body Mass Index (BMI) than their low-CFC counterparts.

However, the study indicated that the relationship between CFC and organic food consumption varied depending on the type of organic food. The strongest correlations were observed with starchy refined foods, fruits and vegetables, and non-alcoholic beverages. Conversely, no significant associations were identified for seafood, meat, poultry, processed meat, dairy products, and meat substitutes.

Limitations

Some limitations of the NutriNet-Santé Study were noted, particularly in recruitment efforts. Individuals with a heightened interest in nutrition may have skewed the national representation of organic food consumers. Additionally, as the data was derived from self-reported questionnaires, there was potential for measurement errors.

Conclusion

The study highlights that CFC can positively influence organic food consumption. To promote increased organic food intake, programs should consider this psychological factor. Public health services might apply this understanding in their messaging around healthy eating practices.

Reference

Bénard M, Baudry J, Méjean C, et al. Association between time perspective and organic food consumption in a large sample of adults. Nutr J 17, 1 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-017-0311-0