Association between temporal perspectives, food choice motivations, and food consumption in the general population.

Summary Introduction and purpose of the study: Improving food choices is a major environmental and public health issue. Studying personality traits associated with food choices and behaviors could provide insights to target prevention programs. Consideration of future consequences (CFC) is a personality trait that distinguishes individuals who engage in behaviors based on immediate concerns from individuals who consider the future consequences of their behavior. The purpose of this study was to analyze the association between CFC, food choice motivations, food consumption, overall diet quality, and snacking. Materials and Methods: A sample of 50955 participants from the NutriNet-Health cohort completed the SWC scale and a validated questionnaire measuring 9 food choice motivations (ethics and environment, environmental reasons, absence of contaminants, health, taste, price, local and traditional production, simplicity and innovation). Food consumption was obtained from at least 3 24-hour food records. Overall food quality was calculated from the mPNNS-GS score. Snacking, considered here as the frequency of food intake outside meals, was estimated with an ad hoc question. Linear and logistic regression models, stratified by sex and adjusted for sociodemographic factors, were used to analyze the associations between SWC and food choices and consumption. Results and Statistical Analysis: SWC was associated with food choice motivations (p<0.001), except for price and taste in men. Overall, the strongest positive associations were obtained for no contaminants, environmental reasons, and health . and the strongest negative associations were observed for simplicity and innovation. The strongest positive associations between CFC and food consumption were obtained for whole starchy foods (Relative difference Q4 vs Q1, men: 49%, women: 24%) and fruits and vegetables (men: 21%, women: 12%) . and the strongest negative associations were observed for alcohol (men: -25%, women: -25%) and meats (men: -15%, women: -12%). The mPNNS-GS score was higher in individuals with a high CFC (Q4) (men: 5%, women: 4%) compared to those with a low CFC (Q1). Finally, participants with a high SWC had a lower probability of snacking more than once per day compared to those with a low SWC: OR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.61-0.88 in men, OR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.67-0.84 in women. Conclusion: High CFC was associated with environmental and health-related motivations and healthier food consumption. Promoting the importance and future consequences within dietary prevention programs could help improve food choices.