J Nutr Health.  2020 Aug;53(4):431-444. 10.4163/jnh.2020.53.4.431.

Analysis of food choice motivation according to health consciousness of overseas consumers: focus on American and Japanese consumers

• Lee SH
• Ryoo JY
• Lee MA

• KMID: 2506204
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4163/jnh.2020.53.4.431

Abstract

Purpose
The purposes of this study were to understand the health interest of consumers in the United States and Japan and thus understand the motivation of food choices, in order to provide basic data on the country's strategy based on healthy and correct food choices in the future.
Methods
A customer survey was conducted in 2019 from October 18 to 31, and it targeted 115 American and 120 Japanese local consumers between the ages of 20- to 64-years-old. Eight questions were formed using General Health Interest. Based on food choice motivation, 27 questions were reconstructed and asked about demographic information. All data were analyzed by SPSS Statistics (ver. 25).
Results
Health consciousness was categorized into 2 types: nutrition-seeking type and preference-seeking type. Based on these 2 factors, customers were grouped into 3 clusters: healthy dietary life-seeking group, nutrition balance-seeking group and health indifference group. Food choice motivation was categorized into 4 types: health, efficiency, value, and mood. All 3 groups showed a high tendency for efficiency in common. The results show that consumers want higher satisfaction with their time and money invested in food consumption. It is believed that the focus and investment of market segmentation strategy should be focused on product development, especially for American and Japanese consumers who are interested in health.
Conclusion
The results of this study reflect consumer needs that can assist in the selection of healthy and correct foods in the future.

Keyword

health interest; food choice motivation; market segmentation strategy; American consumers; Japanese consumers