“Feminine = Healthy Food” stereotype: Impact of feminine brand personality on consumer attitudes toward healthier food brands

Abstract

In recent years, the severity of poor eating habits and health issues related to a poor diet has increased. Brand personality is undoubtedly essential for creating a positive evaluation of healthy foods. Prior research on food stereotypes suggests that people associate healthy foods with femininity. This study investigates the effects of gendered brand personality on healthy food brand evaluation, drawing on food stereotypes, gendered brand personality, and congruency theory. The results indicate that a feminine brand personality enhances consumer evaluation of healthier food brands more than a masculine brand personality. Combining a feminine brand personality and healthier food brands enhances the brand evaluation of healthier foods by reinforcing perceived congruence. From a theoretical perspective, this study expands the literature on brand personalities and healthy foods. From a practical perspective, this study highlights the directional aspects of brand personality construction for healthy food brands.