Background. Functional food, and in particular “light” food with a reduced energy value, can help society in the fight against overweight, obesity and other diseases and ailments. In  accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council, “energy-reduced food” is food of which the energy value has been reduced by at least 30 % compared to the original food or a similar product. The aim of the study was to assess the determinants of energy-reduced food consumption among female students of Polish universities. The scope of the study included the characteristics of factors determining purchasing decisions and an assessment of the frequency of consumption of selected food examples.
Results and conclusions. The empirical study was conducted using a questionnaire, by employing the computer-assisted web interviewing (CAWI) technique. A total of 258 female students participated in the survey. The scope of the survey included the characteristics of the determinants of purchasing decisions and an assessment investigating how often selected examples of  energy-reduced food are consumed. On the basis of the study, it was found that Generation Z representatives look for reduced-calorie food in their purchasing decisions. The key factors  influencing their choices are quality, product composition and the belief that it offers health benefits. The respondents most often declared that they consumed products with a reduced energy value, such as light yoghurt, light cottage cheese and light drinks. The study conducted in this work showed that young women are interested in consuming food with a reduced energy value.