Grzegorz Suwała

Objective: To determine the variables influencing the frequency of consumption and purchase of convenience foods with the use of economic modelling. Research Design & Methods: The empirical material consisted of the results obtained using computer-assisted web interviewing methodology (by means of Google Forms). The study was conducted among 393 respondents living in Gdynia (Northern Poland). The survey included questions in the following areas: lifestyle, attitudes towards new products, selection attributes of convenience foods, frequency of consumption and purchase of convenience foods, as well as demographic data (gender, age, and income). To achieve the objectives of the study, logistic regression analysis was used, thus predicting the probability of a set of independent variables influencing the regularity of purchasing convenience foods and the frequency of purchasing convenience food products for direct consumption (ready-to-eat). Findings: Men were found to be almost three times more likely to consume convenience foods on a regular basis as women. In turn, individuals belonging to Generation Y have an approximately 70% higher chance of consuming convenience food products more regularly than representatives of Generation X. Moreover, the subjects for whom the freshness of consumed food is very important are about 59% less likely to purchase products for direct consumption (ready-to-eat) than individuals for whom the freshness of consumed products is not so important. Implications / Recommendations: A potential segment of convenience food consumers are men, individuals from Generation Z, who value both the freshness and short preparation time of the products. Therefore, building awareness of convenience food brands/products should be especially targeted at this group of buyers. Contribution: The presented models expand the knowledge of the factors determining the consumption of convenience foods.

Background. Consumer acceptance and willingness to consume functional foods (FF) is a complex and slow process that depends on many factors. Therefore, understanding consumer responses to FF is essential. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the determinants of consumers' functional food purchasing decisions and sociodemographic characteristics (gender, place of residence, income level, lifestyle). The study used a survey measurement method. A survey questionnaire (Google forms) was the research instrument. The survey was conducted among 422 young consumers, represented by members of Generation Z, in 2024 and 2025. A scale reliability analysis was performed based on Cronbach's α coefficients. The Spearman's rank correlation analysis was done to determine the strength and significance of relationships between dependent variables and independent variables. The study has certain limitations. Results and conclusions. It was observed that people who pay attention to foods with high nutritional value show a positive correlation both with FFA (0.23) and FFR (0.22). In contrast, those with high health consciousness show a positive correlation with FFA (0.17). On the basis of the analyses performed, it was shown that there is a relationship between elements describing the lifestyle of young consumers, such as concern for health and consumption of foods with high nutritional value of the product and positive atti tudes and opinions regarding functional foods. In addition, it was found that the product values related to quality, composition, health, ecological and sensory values, price, availability and diverse assortment are of greatest importance in the decision to purchase functional foods by young buyers, representatives of generation Z in Poland.

This study addresses a research gap by examining the attitudes and interest of young Polish consumers in new foods containing insects. The results of the survey, which are presented in this article, were obtained as part of an inter-university project conducted at five Polish higher education institutions (N = 1063). The survey was conducted using the indirect interview method via an online platform (CAWI). This study aimed to assess attitudes, behaviours and intentions to purchasing insect foods, as well as factors influencing the selection of new foods containing insects and product preferences for such foods. The analysis revealed no statistically significant differentiation in consumer behaviour and declared intentions towards insect foods based on gender or place of residence (p > 0.001). Our results revealed correlations between the level of neophobia and negative attitudes among young consumers towards insect products, albeit weak in nature. The exploratory factor analysis suggested that the assessment of factors influencing the purchase of insect products may be based on a small number of dimensions, which were not found to be correlated, as follows: “Health and Environmental Concern”, “Organoleptic Attributes” and “Circumstantial Influences”.

The marketing of insect-derived protein has led to the development of respective legal regulations on such insects-based foods in the European Union. Despite the interest in the area of insect-based food, European researchers have paid relatively little attention to consumer attitudes and behaviors towards such products or the factors that may affect them. Attempts undertaken so far in this respect are insufficient; therefore, there is a need to continue and expand research in this field. The present study attempts to verify the following research hypotheses: H1. Attitudes towards food containing insects are related to the attributes/characteristics of these products, care for health and the natural environment, and attitudes towards novelty (neophilic/neophobic); H2. Intentions to purchase food containing insects can be predicted based on attitudes towards food from insects, product attributes, and attitudes towards environmental health and novelties. An empirical study was conducted among university students (N = 1063) by an indirect interview method using a specially designed questionnaire, via an online platform (Computer-Assisted Web Interview, CAWI) in November 2023. The questionnaire was validated by assessing the construction validity and estimating the reliability of the scales used. The study results demonstrated that the attributes of insect-based food products can influence the positive attitudes towards them and behavioral intentions to consume them, and that the strength of the impact of health quality traits is far greater than that of the organoleptic or functional traits. A negative, statistically significant value of the correlation coefficient between neophobic attitude and intention to purchase this type of food was observed. Thus, respondents without food neophobia were characterized by a positive attitude towards the purchase of foods containing edible insects in their composition.

Background. Insect consumption (entomophagy) is increasingly becoming the focus of attention, not only for economic reasons, but also due to environmental and health benefits. Achieving environmentally sustainable food security is one of the greatest global challenges today. A wide range of edible insect species, which are rich in protein, fat, minerals, vitamins and dietary fiber, can play a significant role in addressing the issue of global food insecurity. In addition, insect farming can be a sustainable way to produce food. However, consumer acceptance remains a major obstacle to regarding insects as a food source in many countries, including Europe. The purpose of this study was to determine whether health and environmental concerns would be associated with the willingness to consume foods containing edible insects (fresh, frozen, dried, powdered ones, e.g. meal) with the intention of ensuring food security and environmental sustainability. An empirical study was conducted among students at five Polish universities. The survey questionnaire included statements related to attitudes toward natural foods and concerns about health, the environment, food security and environmental sustainability. Results and conclusions. Respondents' acceptance of foods containing edible insects as a solution to (or support in solving) the problem of global food insecurity was most highly correlated with concern for health and the environment. Gender also differentiated perceptions of food security issues. For women, issues related to the nutritional value of products with edible insects and environmental aspects were significantly more important than for men. Young people having positive attitudes toward the naturalness of food were significantly more likely than other respondents to agree that implementing the practice of consuming foods that contain edible insects in them could provide access to foods with high concentrations of n-3 fatty acids, ensure sustainability in food production and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Background. The use of edible insects as a food source for humans creates numerous demographic, environmental, economic and ethical challenges for societies. The consumption of food containing edible insects in its composition requires, first and foremost, its acceptance by consumers. The aim of the study was to determine whether the attitudes and intentions of young consumers in Poland (Generation Z) toward foods containing edible insects (fresh, frozen, dried, powdered ones, e.g., meal) in their composition can affect concerns about food security and environmental sustainability worldwide. In preparing the questionnaire, a set of statements adapted from scientific publications by other authors was used. The survey questionnaire included items (15) relating to: attitudes toward insect food (4), intentions to purchase food from insects (4), the willingness to pay a higher price for food containing insects, the production of which takes into account care for the environment (1), concern for food security (4) and environmental sustainability (2). During the survey, the respondents expressed the level of approval to or disapproval of all items included, using a five-point Likert scale. Results and conclusions. Based on the survey carried out among young people, it can be concluded that the acceptance of foods containing edible insects in their composition as a solution, or support, to the problem of global food insecurity is related to attitudes and intentions to consume and purchase foods containing edible insects in their composition (fresh, frozen, dried, powdered ones, e.g. meal). Understanding young consumers' intentions to consume food containing edible insects combined with their experiences with edible insects is the most effective way to encourage consumers to purchase and consume new foods . The results obtained can contribute to efforts to promote the legitimacy of producing new foods containing edible insects in their composition.

To achieve an understanding of consumers and their behaviour it is essential to plan and execute an effective programme of action for any business, enabling it to influence consumer choices. Many factors make up the totality of consumer behaviour, but through this diversity the market develops, creates new facilities, adapts to needs and produces new products and services. The aim of the study was to identify the factors influencing consumers' purchasing decisions and the frequency of coffee consumption. The Pen-And-Paper Personal Interview (PAPI) method was conducted in a narrow subject perspective, so the results obtained cannot be generalised to the entire population of adults in Poland. The results obtained contribute to the understanding of potential pathways of choice, frequency and context of coffee consumption by consumers. Wiedza o konsumencie i jego zachowaniach jest niezbędna do zaplanowania i zrealizowania efektywnego programu działania każdego przedsiębiorstwa na rynku, umożliwiając przedsiębiorstwom wpływanie na wybory konsumenta. Wiele determinantów składa się na całokształt zachowań konsumenckich, ale dzięki tej różnorodności rynek rozwija się, tworzy nowe udogodnienia, dopasowuje się do potrzeb i wytwarza nowe produkty i usługi. Celem badań było zidentyfikowanie czynników wywierających wpływ na poziom innowacyjności i podejmowanie decyzji o zakupie i częstości spożycia kawy przez konsumentów. Badania metodą PAPI prowadzone były w wąskim ujęciu podmiotowym, nie można zatem uogólnić otrzymanych wyników na cały segment osób dorosłych w Polsce. Uzyskane wyniki przyczyniają się do zrozumienia potencjalnych ścieżek wyboru, częstości i kontekstu spożycia kawy przez konsumentów.

The present study aimed to identify declared patterns of ideal appearance among students at selected higher education institutions in Poland. In the present study, we set out to identify the body image and the propensity to change it. In order to achieve the goal of the study, a nationwide survey was carried out using a voluntary diagnostic survey. A total of 810 respondents took part in the survey. The study was conducted using a custom-made self-designed survey questionnaire with an indirect interview technique via a web-based platform (CAWI). The study results indicate that women were far more eager to maintain an attractive appearance through dieting than men. Importantly, the respondents, both women and men, did not identify influencers as role models of attractive appearance. Results of the present survey reveal that attitudes towards one’s physical appearance are diverse and influenced by the considered factors. The attributes that determined the perception of oneself as an attractive person included height, weight, and body build. Normal body weight is a key feature of an attractive appearance, according to the respondents; nevertheless, students show a higher tolerance for being overweight than for being underweight. Furthermore, preferences in this respect are largely conditioned by individual personal characteristics. According to young people, a person with an attractive appearance is one who eats and exercises regularly, and who does not fall into extremes in terms of their appearance. On the other hand, the fear of growing fat and losing one’s attractive appearance was frequently indicated among the concerns over personal appearance. Only one in five respondents expressed complete satisfaction with how they looked, with men and those with a normal BMI significantly more likely to do so. Respondents expressed readiness to undertake a range of activities related to increased exercise regime, changes in their eating habits, or seeking assistance (e.g., of a personal trainer) to achieve the desired body shape. Our findings can be used as a basis for discussion and consideration in developing educational activities on nutrition, as well as on overweight- and obesity-related health issues.