“Healthy” Eating Not A Major Concern Of Spanish Consumers, Study Finds

Researchers in Spain who investigated both the key factors behind consumer food choice and attitudes toward healthy eating found that sensory appeal, price and convenience were more important than health-promotion or weight control among 200 Spanish consumers. Participants associated the terms “low in calories” and “help me to control my weight” with “low in fat” than with “low in sugar.” Participants said dairy products were the most frequently consumed food, and indicated that foods whose ingredients promoted health were among the least consumed, probably because consumers either were not interested in or had little knowledge about the health benefits. The study found that women and adults in general were most concerned about health and weight control.