Ponte Luis Gustavo Saboia, Ribeiro Suliene França, Antunes Adriane Elisabete Costa, Bezerra Rosangela Maria Neves, da Cunha Diogo Thimoteo
Laboratório Multidisciplinar em Alimentos e Saúde, Faculdade de Ciências Aplicadas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Limeira 13484-350, SP, Brazil.
Laboratório de Lácteos, Prebióticos e Probióticos, Faculdade de Ciências Aplicadas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Limeira 13484-350, SP, Brazil.
Foods. 2024 Dec 22;13(24):4161. doi: 10.3390/foods13244161.
The growing consumer interest in functional foods and healthy eating can unfortunately lead to the spread of misinformation and the belief in food-related myths. This study analyzed Brazilian consumers' perceptions and beliefs about facts and myths regarding functional foods, focusing on attitudes, reference groups, and sociocultural factors affecting their perception. A theoretical model was developed, incorporating constructs such as attitudes (reward, trust, necessity, safety), beliefs, and reference groups. Data from 600 participants in the Southeast ( = 300) and Northeast ( = 300) of Brazil were collected through online questionnaires, with responses measured on a five-point Likert scale. Myths (widely held ideas lacking scientific basis) and 'facts' (evidence-based information) regarding functional food were selected via literature review and validated by nutrition experts. Structural equation modeling revealed that perceived necessity and reward were positively associated with myths, while safety perception was negatively associated with myths. Reference groups and beliefs were positively associated with facts. Cluster analysis identified two consumer profiles: (1) safety-conscious individuals, who prioritize food safety, and (2) engaged critics, influenced by reference groups and actively seeking information. These findings highlight the importance of culturally tailored communication strategies for countering myths and promoting functional foods in Brazil. Regulatory bodies in Brazil must enhance oversight of health claims to build consumer trust and encourage informed choices, fostering mindful consumption habits.
不幸的是，消费者对功能性食品和健康饮食的兴趣日益浓厚，这可能导致错误信息的传播以及对与食品相关的谬论的相信。本研究分析了巴西消费者对功能性食品事实与谬论的认知和看法，重点关注影响其认知的态度、参照群体和社会文化因素。构建了一个理论模型，纳入了态度（奖励、信任、必要性、安全性）、信念和参照群体等构念。通过在线问卷收集了来自巴西东南部（= 300）和东北部（= 300）的600名参与者的数据，回答采用五点李克特量表进行衡量。通过文献综述选择了关于功能性食品的谬论（缺乏科学依据的广泛观念）和“事实”（基于证据的信息），并由营养专家进行了验证。结构方程模型显示，感知到的必要性和奖励与谬论呈正相关，而安全认知与谬论呈负相关。参照群体和信念与事实呈正相关。聚类分析确定了两种消费者类型：（1）注重安全的个体，他们将食品安全放在首位；（2）积极的批评者，受参照群体影响并积极寻求信息。这些发现凸显了在巴西采用文化定制的沟通策略来反驳谬论和推广功能性食品的重要性。巴西监管机构必须加强对健康声明的监管，以建立消费者信任并鼓励明智的选择，培养谨慎的消费习惯。
