Premium
Attitudes About the Nutritional Benefits and Pesticide‐Exposure Risks From Fruit and Vegetable Consumption
Author(s) -
Dittus Kim L.,
Hillers Virginia N.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
family and consumer sciences research journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.372
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 1552-3934
pISSN - 1077-727X
DOI - 10.1177/1077727x960244006
Subject(s) - pesticide , pesticide residue , environmental health , consumption (sociology) , health benefits , toxicology , nutrition education , business , microbiology and biotechnology , food science , medicine , biology , gerontology , agronomy , social science , sociology , traditional medicine
How consumers analyze and act upon conflicting information regarding the nutritional benefits offruit and vegetable consumption and potential health risks from pesticide residues is not well‐documented. Washington state consumers were surveyed to identify attitudes towardfruits and vegetables ( n = 1,067). Respondents were divided into four groups based on scores measuring concern about nutrition and pesticide residues. Those with high concern about both nutrition and pesticide residues had significantly higher ( p < .0001) pesticide concern, residue reducing behavior, and perceived susceptibility to cancer and lower scores for trust in pesticide regulation and benefits of pesticide use. Individuals with low concern for both nutrition and pesticide residues had the lowest scores for nutrition behavior, residue‐reducing behavior, and susceptibility to cancer but the highest mean scores for barriers toffruit and vegetable intake. Nutrition education that targets identified interests of consumer groups can enhance critical thinking and promote behavioral change.