Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/321801 
Year of Publication: 
2024
Citation: 
[Journal:] Bio-based and Applied Economics (BAE) [ISSN:] 2280-6172 [Volume:] 13 [Issue:] 3 [Year:] 2024 [Pages:] 301-316
Publisher: 
Firenze University Press, Florence
Abstract: 
The consumption of whole grains has several health benefits, however, most US consumers - including young adults - do not meet the recommended consumption intake. To understand the underlying factors affecting the intention and consumption of whole grain pasta, a survey based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) was developed and administered to US college students. For four weeks, participants (n = 325) either did not receive any information (control) or received weekly messages on the health benefits of whole grain pasta (e.g., high fiber and niacin contents) in the forms of gain- (treatment 1) or loss-framed (treatment 2) information. Variables of the TPB model and consumers' perceptions were investigated both at Time 1, when the first message was received (week 0), and at Time 2, one month after the intervention (week 4). Results from the two moments were compared. We found that the TPB measures and perceived usefulness were not influenced by the treatment group; however, the gain-framed message engendered greater message engagement than the loss-framed one. Finally, results from the structural equation model showed that attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control were positively associated with the intention to consume whole grain pasta, and the intention was a strong determinant of participants' behavior. Based on our results, implications and suggestions for future studies are discussed.
Subjects: 
dietary fiber
message framing
Gain-Framed
Loss-Framed
Message Engagement
JEL: 
I12
D91
D83
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
Creative Commons License: 
cc-by Logo
Document Type: 
Article

Files in This Item:
File
Size





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.