本論文旨在探究影響馬來西亞消費者購買保健食品頻率的前置因素,並以健康狀態作為調節變數進行測試。本研究檢驗特定人口變數,以確認不同人口間是否存在消費態度和購買頻率的顯著差異。本研究採便利抽樣,針對330位在富裕的吉隆坡及八打靈再也地區工作和生活的受測者進行問卷調查。資料分析方法包含敘述性統計分析、斯皮爾曼等級相關係數分析(Spearman Rho)、一般線性模式分析(GLM)和結構方程模式分析(SEM)。研究結果顯示,隨著消費者在性別和教育水準的不同,其對保健食品的了解、態度和購買頻率亦有顯著的差異;而婚姻狀態的不同則產生混合的結果。消費者的年齡與消費者的保健食品消費呈正向關係。消費者對保健食品的態度受到其對食物和健康的了解、其對產品功效的認知之顯著正向影響,此態度並會進一步影響消費者的購買頻率。本研究視健康狀態為調節變數的假設並未獲得證實。
This paper investigated the antecedents of the attitude that influenced the purchase frequency of functional foods among consumers in Malaysia, in which health status, as a moderator, was tested. In addition, selected demographic characteristics were examined to determine if significant differences exist in terms of their attitude and purchase frequency. Using a convenience sampling method, a self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted on 330 respondents working and living in the affluent Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya areas. Data analysis methods included descriptive statistical analysis, Spearman Rho, GLM and SEM. The research results indicated that consumers were significantly different in regard to their knowledge, attitude and purchase frequency by gender, and educational level while marital status produced mixed results. Age had a positive relationship with the consumption of functional foods. Knowledge about food and health, and knowledge on product efficacy had a significant positive impact on attitude towards functional foods, which, in turn, influenced purchase frequency. The moderating role of health status was not supported.