Consumer typology according to food-related lifestyle: an exploratory study in southern Chile

With the aim of characterizing consumer typologies on the basis of food-related lifestyle in an exploratory manner, a survey was applied to a sample of 316 people in the main cities of southern Chile. The instruments for collecting data included an adaptation of the Food-related Lifestyle (FRL) questionnaire and the Satisfaction with Food-related Life (SWFL) scale. Three main typologies were distinguished using a cluster analysis. The majority (30.1%) preferred easily prepared food, planned their diet and maintained their eating habits. The second group (17.4%) enjoyed eating out and dinners with friends at home, but they preferred known foods, and were programmed and constant in their eating habits. The third typology (14.6%) enjoyed sharing a meal with friends, but did not like cooking or using easy-to-prepare foods. The typologies displayed different profiles based on demographics. They differed in the food consumption frequency in the home and in the frequency of eating out. Differences were observed in the restriction of meals and dressings for health reasons and in the satisfaction with their food-related life.