How to enhance the food self-sufficiency rate of Taiwan? Applying the theory of planned behavior to decision making for food away from home

• Published in: Journal of agriculture and food research 2023-06, Vol.12, p.100629, Article 100629
• Main Authors: Lin, Hsing-Wei, Liu, Wan-Yu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Decision making; Dining out; Frequency of eating away from home; Theory of planned behavior
• ISSN: 2666-1543; 2666-1543
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jafr.2023.100629

Due to the affordable take-away price, Taiwanese tends to eat outside and thus the food self-sufficiency rate of Taiwan has decreased, only 31% in 2021. This study analyzed the factors associated with the decision-making of Taiwanese families regarding breakfast and dinner away from home. The results revealed the significant effects of region of residence, level of education, dual-income household as well as perception and attitude regarding healthy diets on the frequency of Taiwanese families’ eating breakfast and dinner away from home. Although income affected the frequency of eating breakfast away from home, it did not significantly affect the frequency of dining out. The results indicate that the main reason for Taiwanese families to eat food away from home is to save time, taking into account the opportunity cost of time. [Display omitted] •The food self-sufficiency rate of Taiwan has decreased from 56% in 1986 to 31% in 2021.•This study analyzed the factors associated with the decision-making of Taiwanese families regarding breakfast and dinner away from home.•Region of residence, level of education, dual-income household as well as perception and attitude regarding healthy diets are the significant influencing factors.•Income affected the frequency of eating breakfast outside, but it did not significantly affect the frequency of dining out.