Study on purchase and intake patterns of individuals consuming dietary formula for weight control or health/functional foods

• Published in: Hanʼguk yongyang hakhoe chi Vol. 45; no. 6; p. 541
• Main Authors: Won, H.S., Dongnam Health College, Suwon, Republic of Korea, Lee, H.J., Ewha Graduate School of Clinical Health Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Kwak, J.S., BiofoodCRO, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Kim, J.H., BiofoodCRO, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Kim, M.K., BiofoodCRO, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Kwon, O.R., BiofoodCRO, Seoul, Republic of Korea
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 01.12.2012
• Subjects: ALIMENT SANTE POUR HOMME; ALIMENTOS SANOS; dietary formula for weight control; HEALTH FOODS; intake patterns; portfolio analysis; purchasing behavior; satisfaction
• ISSN: 0367-6463; 2005-7121
• DOI: 10.4163/kjn.2012.45.6.541

In our previous work, we reported consumers' perceptions of body shape and weight control. In an ongoing effort, we analyzed the purchasing behavior, intake patterns, future purchasing decisions, and degree of satisfaction in individuals consuming dietary formula for weight control (DF) or heath/functional foods (HFFs) by using the same survey questions. Portfolio analysis for marketing strategy was also investigated. Subjects were divided into two groups according to consumption of DF or HFF during the previous year : DF group (n = 89) and HFF group (n = 110). Average intake frequency was 1.7±0.7 per day for HFFs and 1.5±0.9 per day for the DF, and the most prevalent form was pill (58.2%) for HFFs and bar (42.7%) for DF. Duration of intake was 3.1±2.3 months for HFFs versus 3.9±3.5 months for DF. The average degree of satisfaction was 3.6±0.6 on a 5-point scale, meaning 'relatively satisfied'. For the weight control method to be used in the future, 44.5% of the HFF group selected 'HFFs' while 47.2% of the DF group selected 'DF', showing a tendency to use the current product type in the future. The average planned period for the intake was 3.8±3.7 months for HFFs and 3.0±2.4 months for DF (p less than 0.05). The HFF group emphasized efficacy, functional ingredients of the products, reliable products, and higher satisfaction, whereas the DF group emphasized the added materials in addition to weight control effects.