| Keyword search (4,163 papers available) | ![]() |
"Khelifa R" Authored Publications:
| Title | Authors | PubMed ID | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Using an insect for sustainable waste management of a superabundant bird | López-Manzano C; Mahdjoub H; Arce-Valdés LR; Khelifa R; | 41719861 BIOLOGY |
| 2 | Acceptance of entomophagy among Canadians at an insectarium | Velchovska N; Khelifa R; | 41565845 BIOLOGY |
| 3 | Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Mosquito Species (Culicidae) in a Ramsar Site, Fetzara Lake (Annaba, Algeria) | Rouibi A; Rouibi A; Khelifa R; | 41148925 BIOLOGY |
| 4 | Threatened Birds in a Changing Mediterranean Wetland: Long-Term Trends and Climate-Driven Threats | Bouregbi I; Bensakhri Z; Zebsa R; Zouaimia A; Bensouilah S; Bouteraa O; Khelifa R; Ouakid ML; Mahdjoub H; Houhamdi M; | 40566545 BIOLOGY |
| 5 | Condition-dependent survival and movement behavior in an endangered endemic damselfly | Mahdjoub H; Zebsa R; Kahalerras A; Amari H; Bensouilah S; Samways MJ; Khelifa R; | 38071197 BIOLOGY |
| 6 | Interplay between male quality and male-female compatibility across episodes of sexual selection | Mahdjoub H; Khelifa R; Roy J; Sbilordo SH; Zeender V; Perdigón Ferreira J; Gourgoulianni N; Lüpold S; | 37774022 BIOLOGY |
| 7 | Recommendations for making editorial boards diverse and inclusive | Mahdjoub H; Maas B; Nuñez MA; Khelifa R; | 36280401 BIOLOGY |
| Title: | Acceptance of entomophagy among Canadians at an insectarium | ||||
| Authors: | Velchovska N, Khelifa R | ||||
| Link: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41565845/ | ||||
| DOI: | 10.1038/s41598-026-35288-w | ||||
| Publication: | Scientific reports | ||||
| Keywords: | Alternative protein; Canada; Consumer attitudes; Culinary innovation; Environmental sustainability; Gender; Insect consumption; | ||||
| PMID: | 41565845 | Category: | Date Added: | 2026-01-22 | |
| Dept Affiliation: |
BIOLOGY
1 Department of Psychology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke St. W., Montreal, QC, H4B 1R6, Canada. 2 Biology Department, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke St. W., Montreal, QC, H4B 1R6, Canada. rassim.khelifa@concordia.ca. |
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Description: |
As global food systems face mounting sustainability pressures, insects are gaining attention as a promising alternative protein source. Yet, entomophagy remains culturally unfamiliar or stigmatized in many Western countries, including Canada. This study investigates attitudes toward insect consumption among 252 adult visitors to the Montreal Insectarium, a public institution promoting insect education and biodiversity awareness. Participants completed a structured questionnaire evaluating willingness to consume various insect-based foods, motivations and barriers, and demographic predictors of acceptance. Overall, 44% of participants reported openness to eating insects (18% had previously consumed them and 26% were willing to try), though fewer were willing to include them in their regular diet (27%) or prepare them at home (17%). Acceptance was highest for products where insect content was less visible, such as baked goods made with insect flour. Key motivators included curiosity, perceived health benefits, and environmental concern, while major deterrents were disgust, food safety concerns, and insect-related fears. Ordinal logistic regression analyses revealed consistent gender effects, with men significantly more willing than women to consume a variety of insect-based foods. Men also showed greater prior experience with insect consumption and were more likely to include insects in their diets or try them in restaurants. Age alone was not a consistent predictor, but significant interactions with gender revealed a complex interplay between these predictors. Moreover, participants with graduate degrees showed greater openness to experimenting with insect-based ingredients when cooking, and prior insect consumption increased with education among women. Overall, our results show that demographic differences (especially gender and education) shape openness to entomophagy more strongly than age alone, suggesting that targeted outreach could be a better strategy than generalized promotion in encouraging insect-based food adoption. |



