Psychological predictors of attitudes and intention to eat insect-based food

Background: According to the FAO, greenhouse gas emissions from agri-livestock activities represent 31% of human-related emissions, among the main culprits of the climate crisis. To overcome these problems, alternative foods, such as insect-based foods, are becoming widespread. However, the possibility of introducing them into eating habits often arouses adverse psychological reactions and mistrust. This study aimed to map attitudes towards insect-based foods and consumption intentions as a function of individual characteristics to capture the psychological predictors of a wary attitude towards them. Methods: A sample of 122 students completed an online questionnaire in the pilot study. The questionnaire collected information about sociodemographics, decision-making style, trust in science, food neophobia, the intention to consume insect-based foods, and explicit and automatic attitudes (Implicit Association Test) toward them. Linear regression models were performed to explore which sociodemographic and psychological variables represented the most effective predictors of attitudes and intention to consume insect-based foods. Findings: Preliminary findings suggested that food neophobia was the strongest predictor of explicit attitudes toward insect-based foods. The most significant predictors of intention to eat insect-based foods were food neophobia, trust in science, and gender (men showed a greater propensity to consume insect-based foods than women). Discussion: Consumers are forming their beliefs regarding novel foods in this historical phase in which they must pay particular attention to choosing sustainable foods. This study contributes to understanding people's attitudes towards these products and any resistance to scientific-based communication actions that can reassure consumers and counteract negative beliefs.