Food-Related Lifestyles and Their Association to Obesity in Five European Countries

Appetite, Vol. 54, 2010

Posted: 10 Mar 2010

See all articles by Federico Perez-Cueto

Federico Perez-Cueto

Ghent University

Wim Verbeke

Ghent University - Department of Agricultural Economics

Marcia Dutra de Barcellos

Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS/PPGA)

Olga Kehagia

Agricultural University of Athens

George M. Chryssochoidis

Norwich Business School, University of East Anglia

Joachim Scholderer

Arhus University; University of Zurich

Klaus G. Grunert

Aarhus School of Business - Marketing and Statistics

Date Written: March 8, 2010

Abstract

This paper’s objective is to investigate the associations between obesity and Food-Related Lifestyles (FRL) in five European countries. A cross-sectional web-based survey was carried out in Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece and Poland, January 2008, with quota samples on gender (male, female), age categories (20–44 and 45–70 years), and locality of residence (urban, rural). A total of 2437 respondents (51%women, 49% men; mean age 41.4 years, SD 13.1) participated. Obtained data included socio-demographic information, measure of the food-related lifestyle scale and self-reported weights and heights. Body Mass Index (in kg/m2) was calculated as weight (in kg) divided by the squared height (inm2). Individuals were classified as obese if BMI > 30. Logistic regressions were fitted for the aggregated sample and then by country with obese as dependent and socio-demographics and FRL were included as independents. The prevalence of obesity in the five countries is 22%. Europeans giving more importance to ‘self-fulfillment’ (odds = 1.18), ‘planning of meals’ (odds = 1.15), and preferring ‘snacks vs. meals’ (odds = 1.24) are more likely to be obese. Respondents were less likely to be obese if they attached lower levels of importance to the use of ‘shopping lists’ (odds = 0.87). The overall picture is that a stronger interest in health, organic products and freshness, within the FLR domain of quality aspects, is associated with ‘not being obese’. This study has identified specific FRL dimensions as potential predictors of obesity. The resulting consumers’ profiling can be used for targeted interventions for weight management in Europe.

Keywords: Food-Related Lifestyle, Europe, Obesity, Eating attitudes, Eating behaviour, Economic burden, Q-PorkChains

Suggested Citation

Perez-Cueto, Federico and Verbeke, Wim and de Barcellos, Marcia Dutra and Kehagia, Olga and Chryssochoidis, George M. and Scholderer, Joachim and Grunert, Klaus G., Food-Related Lifestyles and Their Association to Obesity in Five European Countries (March 8, 2010). Appetite, Vol. 54, 2010, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1566901

Federico Perez-Cueto (Contact Author)

Ghent University ( email )

Coupure Links 653
Ghent, 9000
Belgium

Wim Verbeke

Ghent University - Department of Agricultural Economics ( email )

Coupure Links 653
Ghent, 9000
Belgium

Marcia Dutra De Barcellos

Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS/PPGA) ( email )

Rua Washington Luiz, 855. Centro
Porto Alegre - RS, 90010-460
Brazil

Olga Kehagia

Agricultural University of Athens ( email )

Iera Odos 75
Athens, Votanikos 11855
Greece

George M. Chryssochoidis

Norwich Business School, University of East Anglia ( email )

Chancellor's Drive
Norwich, NR47TJ
Great Britain
00441603592694 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.uea.ac.uk/nbs/people/People/Academic/George+Chrysochoidis

Joachim Scholderer

Arhus University ( email )

Department of Economics and Business Economics
Fuglesangs Allé 4
Århus V, 8210
Denmark
+45 871 65019 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://person.au.dk/js@econ.au.dk

University of Zurich ( email )

CCRS
Zähringerstrasse 24
Zurich, 8001
Switzerland
+41 44 634 40 61 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.ccrs.uzh.ch

Klaus G. Grunert

Aarhus School of Business - Marketing and Statistics ( email )

Haslegårdsvej 10
Århus V
Denmark

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