Knowledge, attitude and practice of purchase and consumption of pulses within a sample of adult population in the United Kingdom

Pulses (dry, edible, non-oil seeds of Leguminosae or Favaceae family) are considered beneficial for our health and environment due to their macro- and micronutrient profile, presence of bioactive compounds, long shelf life, affordability and low climate impact (1, 2) . However, there is very little research on pulse consumption within the UK except a few studies using the national diet and nutrition survey data (2) . Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the knowledge, attitude and practice of purchasing pulses and explore specific drivers and barriers for the consumption of pulses within a sample of UK adult population. Data was collected using an anonymous, online quantitative survey adapted from a European study (3) . Survey questions were organised into sections to create distinct pathways depending on whether the respondent was a consumer or non-consumer. Question types were limited to checkbox grids, multiple choice, Likert scales and open text questions. Descriptive statistics was used for nominal data and presented as frequencies or percentages. Chi Squared or Fisher’s Exact test was used to determine statistically significant associations between demographic groups and data relating to knowledge (familiarly, frequency, variety), attitude (drivers or barriers) and practices (use of pulses). A Friedman Test was used for comparison of categorical data between different demographic groups. Of the 61 participants, more were pulse consumers (n=59) than non-consumers (n=2). Majority of the pulse consumers were >40 years old, female, from White British background, not living alone, employed, with education status at postgraduate level or above and following an omnivorous diet. Majority of consumers had a high familiarity of pulses (94.6%), a high frequency of consumption (54.8%) with a medium variety of pulses (51.6%). Despite high familiarity and high frequency of consumption, a small variety of pulses (red kidney beans and chickpeas) were consumed. Health was the main driver for consuming pulses (39.7%), especially in the >40 years demographic. A statistically significant association was observed between frequency and variety of pulses (x 2 (4)=25.844, p<0.001); age and convenience (x 2 (2)=34.630, p=0.04); age and “being healthy” (x 2 (2)=10.106, p=0.001); ethnicity and “being filling” (x 2 (2)=8.078, p=0.001); dietary preference and foods replaced with pulses (x 2 (2)=6.357, p=0.042). Most participants who reported themselves as omnivores ate higher levels of pulses and used pulses as a replacement for meat. Preparation, sensory and digestion issues were the greatest barriers to consumption reported by non-consumers. This study provides evidence for ‘linking health and pulse consumption’ when promoting pulses in the UK. Further research is required to understand the barriers and drivers for the consumption of pulses from a larger sample with greater socio-demographic diversity. Innovative solutions are needed to address the consumption of a small variety of pulses in the UK.