Correlates of the willingness to consume insects: a meta-analysis

Abstract

Although insects are a sustainable meat alternative, the willingness to consume (WTC) them remains generally low. We synthesised the effects of WTC correlates reported in 37 studies and also investigated the moderating effects of certain study characteristics. Across a large number of studies, affect-based factors, such as ‘food neophobia’, ‘disgust’ and ‘the expected unpleasant taste of insects’, were consistently strongly correlated with WTC (r̄=-0.33-0.55). Information-based factors, such as ‘the perceived sustainability of insects as food’ and ‘the perceived nutritiousness of insects as food’, also impacted WTC (r̄=0.32-0.55). However, the number of contributing studies in this regard was low. Curiosity appears to be relevant to WTC because ‘food sensation and innovation seeking’ (r̄=0.29) positively impacted WTC. ‘Age, education and gender’ were relatively unrelated to WTC (r̄=-0.14-0.00) across a large number of studies. Combatting affective barriers through gradual and/or early exposure – i.e. increasing the ‘familiarity with the concept of eating insects’ (r̄=0.10) and allowing consumers’ experiences with ‘insect consumption’ (r̄=0.35) to develop over time – will help foster entomophagy acceptance in the long run. In comparison, information-based interventions may have limited effectivity, but they can be implemented in the short term. As meta-regressions have shown, future researchers must consider whether the presentation of the edible insects has moderating effects, e.g. presenting specific as compared to non-specific products (β=-0.47) or actual products (β=-0.56) and pictures of such products (β=-0.55) as compared to mere verbal descriptions. Classical psychological entomophagy factors have been explored comprehensively, and research should also adopt a more market-oriented focus.

Advancing edible insects as food and feed in a circular economy

“…Strong links were found for variables related to the novelty and acceptability of insects as food as well as to affective factors such as disgust, the latter being the greatest barrier. Wassmann et al (2021) conclude that one key to overcoming disgust is tastiness, as disgust is closely related to taste (Rozin et al, 2009). The most positive impact on the consumers' willingness to taste insects as food is awareness of the environmental benefits of such products (Wassmann et al, 2021).…”

“…Wassmann et al (2021) conclude that one key to overcoming disgust is tastiness, as disgust is closely related to taste (Rozin et al, 2009). The most positive impact on the consumers' willingness to taste insects as food is awareness of the environmental benefits of such products (Wassmann et al, 2021). Moderating effects on willingness to consume were the presentation of the insect product (description, picture or real product).…”

“…The studies vastly differ in methodology and approach. A systematic analysis of these studies and pooling of their results could elucidate the consumers' perception of insects as food and highlight research gaps, something that has been done by Wassmann et al (2021) in this issue. Consumer attitudes may also be influenced by how the products appear on the market (Reverberi, 2021).…”

“…In a meta-analysis, (Wassmann et al, 2021) assessed 37 research publications with the objective of investigating the correlation between willingness to consume and several (34) variables. A small correlation was found with gender, female participants being less likely to consume insects.…”

Introducing the special issue: ‘Advancement of insects as food and feed in a circular economy’

“…The technique of processing is reviewed (Sinderman et al, 2021) as are processing pathways and the extraction and utilisation of insect proteins, lipids and chitins (Ojha et al, 2021). The final part of the special issue deals with consumer issues: how to design quality insect products (Reverberi, 2021) and how to convince consumers to buy insect products (Wassmann et al, 2021). The final question is whether the insect industry is profitable.…”