Nearly three-quarters (73%) of U.S. families buy organic products at least occasionally -- chiefly for health reasons, according to a new study to be unveiled this week.

Findings from the 2009 U.S. Families' Organic Attitudes and Beliefs Study, jointly sponsored by the Organic Trade Association and Kiwi Magazine, also show that three in ten U.S. families (31%) are buying more organic foods compared to a year ago, with many parents preferring to reduce their spending in other areas before targeting organic product cuts. In the study, of U.S. families, 17% said their largest increases in spending in the past year were for organic products.