Food As An Ingredient Of Well-Being: From Food And Well-Being To Food Well-Being (FWB): A Consumer Perspective

This cross-cultural, qualitative research has provided new insight into consumer perceptions of food well-being. Our findings suggest that well-being is a broad concept in which food is an ingredient. Food and well-being share various common elements, and food well-being can be defined as an individual’s psychological, physical, social, and societal relationship with food ascribed by our affordability and food literacy. Pleasure, sharing, and respect emerged as three interesting dimensions of food well-being that could be used to transform consumer behavior in respect of reducing overconsumption, food waste, and hunger in society. The authors explored dimensions of well-being and food for both countries of study to understand their cultural differences, and to explain how food influences well-being. The authors’ findings may help consumers, public policymakers, and marketers reinvest implications and values into consumers’ association with food.