The contribution of cultural variables to predicting intentions to adopt a healthy eating

Abstract EN

It is commonplace to say that eating behaviors largely depend on the cultural environment.

However, most (socio-cognitive) models for predicting healthy eating intention have often given little consideration to the role played by cultural variables in food choices.

In this research, we investigate the additional role played by important variables within cultures where the relationship to food is essentially hedonistic in nature.

A quantitative survey of 400 Algerian students has shown that the intention to adopt a healthy eating is influenced by commensality, the hedonic dimension (pleasure) in addition to the perception of behavioral control and the subjective norm.

We end by underlining the public health implications induced by our results.