Research background: Health and environmental concerns linked to food production and consumption have become crucial both for policy makers and for consumers for modern society. Some consumers are becoming increasingly careful about what they eat, giving value to the impacts of everyday food choices on their health and on the environment. There have been few studies that have jointly analyzed these consumption patterns and that have looked for their association. Purpose of the article: The objective of the study is to develop a Polish (PL) and Czech (Cz) young-adult consumers? segmentation based on health and environ-mental attitudes and values in food choices. The research is needed to diagnose consumption trends in this segment of the market to enable creating a market offer tailored to this group of consumers. Methods: A total of 631 students from two Universities ? one in Poland (University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn (323)) and on in the Czech Republic (University of South Bohemia (308)) were selected to participate in the research. The sample of students was chosen because of the importance of young-adult consumers as the participants of the market with a specified purchasing potential. The data were collected through a survey questionnaire, in which a Likert type scale was used to determine the health and environmental attitudes and values in food choices. The results obtained were analyzed statistically using Statistica 13.1 using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with Varimax rotation, cluster analysis using the k-means method and ANOVA. Findings & Value added: The survey demonstrated that the students presented both health and environmental attitudes, and that their food choices were driven to a lesser extent by the environmental than by the health-related values. Results demonstrated that the two distinguished factors significantly differentiated both the Polish and the Czech students into two clusters, with the first cluster being represented by consumers presenting stronger health and environmental attitudes (PL N=58%, Cz N=48%) compared to the students from the second cluster. It adds value to recent young consumers? behavior knowledge by jointly analyzing their attitudes toward health and environmental values in food choices. These findings may be useful in developing effective educational and marketing campaigns and understanding the demand for certain products.

The consumption of insects (entomophagy) is attracting attention for economic, environmental and health reasons. The wide range of edible insect species, rich in protein, fat, minerals, vitamins and fibre, can play an important role in addressing global food insecurity. However, consumer acceptance remains a major barrier to the adoption of insects as a food source in many countries, including Europe. The aim of this study was to determine whether health and environmental concerns, attitudes and intentions towards purchasing edible insects and foods containing edible insects are associated with willingness to consume edible insects and foods containing edible insects among young consumers (Generation Z) in Poland. An empirical study was carried out in 2023, using a questionnaire with an indirect interview method via an online platform. On the basis of surveys conducted among Generation Z in Poland, it can be concluded that health and environmental concerns determine the willingness to consume selected products containing edible insects. At the same time, it should be noted that the more positive the respondents’ attitudes towards health and environmental concerns are, the greater their willingness to consume foods containing edible insects is. Attitudes and intentions towards purchasing foods containing edible insects were positively correlated with willingness to purchase and consume this type of food. The results obtained can contribute to efforts to promote the legitimacy of the production of new foods with edible insects in their composition.

This study addresses a research gap by examining the attitudes and interest of young Polish consumers in new foods containing insects. The results of the survey, which are presented in this article, were obtained as part of an inter-university project conducted at five Polish higher education institutions (N = 1063). The survey was conducted using the indirect interview method via an online platform (CAWI). This study aimed to assess attitudes, behaviours and intentions to purchasing insect foods, as well as factors influencing the selection of new foods containing insects and product preferences for such foods. The analysis revealed no statistically significant differentiation in consumer behaviour and declared intentions towards insect foods based on gender or place of residence (p > 0.001). Our results revealed correlations between the level of neophobia and negative attitudes among young consumers towards insect products, albeit weak in nature. The exploratory factor analysis suggested that the assessment of factors influencing the purchase of insect products may be based on a small number of dimensions, which were not found to be correlated, as follows: “Health and Environmental Concern”, “Organoleptic Attributes” and “Circumstantial Influences”.

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Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine whether the lifestyles of young consumers in Poland (Generation Z) are associated with their preferences regarding the attributes of foods with edible insects, and whether they can influence their willingness to consume new, innovative foods with edible insects. Design/methodology/approach: The empirical study was conducted by indirect interview method, via an online platform, among 749 students in Poland in 2023. Findings: Generation Z's acceptance of foods containing edible insects as a solution or support to the problem of finding new food ingredients with high nutritional value was correlated with pleasure orientation (among men), lack of attachment to the culinary traditions of the region of origin (among men and women), high nutritional value of food and high health awareness (among women). Research limitations/implications: The research has certain limitations. Despite the large size of the study group, the results obtained are not representative and cannot be generalised to the population of young adults (Generation Z) in Poland. Practical implications: Acceptance of new foods containing edible insects (fresh, frozen, dried, powdered e.g. meal) by young consumers (Generation Z) should be based on reliable information about their nutritional value and the possibility of satisfying their needs according to their lifestyle and perceived values. Social implications: The study effectively captured a range of lifestyle determinants, such as health awareness and its correlation with nutritional claims, pleasure orientation and its correlation with attractive taste and affordability (for men) and attractive appearance (for women). Originality/value: The research enriches the existing literature on entomophagy by highlighting the potential acceptability of insect-based foods among young adults, thereby contributing to broader discussions on sustainable food systems and environmental protection. This novel approach not only addresses current environmental and nutritional issues, but also provides a basis for future research and policy development aimed at improving food security and sustainability. Keywords: edible insects, novel food, food attributes, consumer studies, behaviors. Category of the paper: Research paper.