Journal of Nutrition and Health

The Korean Nutrition Society (한국영양학회)
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Recognition, purchase, and consumption of edible insects in Korean adults

한국 일부 성인의 식용곤충에 대한 인식, 구매 및 섭취 실태

  • Received : 2020.02.25
  • Accepted : 2020.03.24
  • Published : 2020.04.30
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Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the recognition, purchase, and intake status of edible insects in adults, who are the main consumers of edible insects, and to provide the information necessary to expand the production and consumption of edible insects and related products in the future. Methods: A total of 453 adults (172 males and 281 females) aged 19 years and older were surveyed regarding their awareness of edible insects, purchase and consumption experience, and intention to purchase and consume, and the differences between them were analyzed according to gender and age groups. Data collection took place from December 2018 to January 2019. Results: Those who had knowledge of edible insects accounted for 87.0%, whereas those who had more than average knowledge were 75.9%, suggesting recognition was relatively high. Men had more experience than women in purchasing or consuming edible insects and related products (45.9% vs. 31.0%, p < 0.01). In terms of age, experience was 22.5% in 20-30s, 44.6% in 40-50s, and 63.1% in 60s and older, showing significant growth as age increased (p < 0.001). The satisfaction level of edible insects was highest in taste (3.4 points), and especially for shape and appearance, it decreased as age reduced (p < 0.001). The most common reason for not being willing to use edible insects was feeling repulsive (4.1 points), which was significantly more common in women than in men (4.3 vs. 3.9, p < 0.001), and lower with age (p < 0.001). The most needed information display for using edible insects was country of origin (63.8%), the main nutrient in edible insects was protein (93.6%), and the most preferred form of products was powder (39.5%). Conclusion: According to the above results, the recognition of edible insects was high, whereas experience of using edible insects and intention to use edible insects were low especially in women and younger groups. The reason for this is that consumers are dissatisfied with edible insects due to their appearance. This study is expected to be used as basic data for expanding the production and consumption of edible insects and related products in the future.

세계적으로 식용곤충은 중요한 잠재적 미래식량으로 전망되고 있으며, 식용곤충 및 이를 이용한 제품을 개발하고 보급하기 위해서는 식용곤충에 대한 소비자 인식에 대한 연구가 필요하다. 이에 본 연구에서는 성인 453명 (남자 172명, 여자 281명)을 대상으로 2018년 12월부터 2019년 1월까지 식용곤충에 대한 인식, 구매 및 섭취 실태를 설문조사한 후 성별 및 연령에 따라 비교 분석하였다. 식용곤충을 인지하고 있는 대상자는 87.0% 이었으며, 알고 있는 식용곤충의 종류는 벼메뚜기 (92.4%), 누에번데기 (70.3%) 순이었고 식용곤충에 대한 정보는 방송·신문·잡지·인터넷 기사 및 광고에서 얻는다는 응답 (36.8%)이 가장 높았다. 식용곤충(제품)의 구매 또는 섭취 경험은 남자가 여자보다 유의하게 높았으며 (45.9% vs. 31.0%, p < 0.01), 연령증가에 따라 유의적으로 높았다 (p < 0.001). 이용해본 식용곤충 종류는 누에번데기 (76.5%), 벼메뚜기 (63.9%) 순이었으며, 구매한 곳은 음식점 (42.2%), 제품의 형태는 조리식품 (42.2%)이 가장 높았고, 이용한 주된 이유는 호기심에서 (30.1%), 식품 섭취 목적으로 (23.5%), 맛이 있어서 (22.9%) 순이었다. 식용곤충의 만족도는 맛 (3.4점), 가격 (3.3점), 품질 (3.3점), 안전성(3.1점), 모양 및 외형 (2.7점) 순이었으며, 특히 모양 및 외형의 경우 60대 이상이 유의하게 높았다 (p < 0.001). 식용곤충(제품)에 대한 향후 이용 의사는 남자가 여자보다 높았으며 (65.7% vs. 42.3%, p < 0.001), 연령 증가에 따라 유의하게 높았다 (p < 0.001). 식용곤충 이용 의사에 대한 이유는 영양적 측면 (3.6점), 건강관리 측면 (3.4점), 환경적 기여 (3.3점), 호기심 (3.2점), 맛(2.8점) 순이었으며, 식용곤충 이용 의사가 없는 이유는 거부감 (4.1점), 신체적 안전 우려 (3.5점), 제품의 낮은 신뢰 (3.5점), 비싼 가격 (3.2점) 순이었다. 식용곤충에 대한 거부감은 여자가 남자보다 유의하게 높았으며 (4.3 vs. 3.9, p < 0.001), 연령이 낮을수록 높았다 (p < 0.001). 식용곤충 이용 시 필요한 정보는 원산지 (63.8%)가 가장 높았으며, 선호하는 제품의 형태는 분말형태 (39.5%), 음식에 첨가 (24.1%), 환 형태 (20.1%) 순이었다. 이상의 연구결과를 종합할 때 소비자들의 식용곤충(제품)에 대한 높은 인지도에 비해 실제 이용 경험이나 향후 이용 의사는 낮았으며, 특히 여자와 낮은 연령층에서 낮았다. 또한 식용곤충의 모양 및 외형에 대한 만족도가 가장 낮아 식용곤충을 이용하지 않는 주된 이유인 거부감으로 인식되는 것으로 나타남으로써 앞으로 여성과 젊은 층의 식용곤충에 대한 인식을 긍정적으로 전환시키고 다양한 소비자 요구를 반영하는 노력이 필요하다는 것을 제안한다.

Keywords

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