Mapping Young Adults’ Concerns and Attitudes toward Food-Related Sustainability Issues in Israel: Implications for Food Policy

Abstract

Identifying the concerns about and attitudes toward adopting a healthy, sustainable diet may facilitate the development of effective implementation policies targeted at changing an individual’s dietary choices toward reducing the environmental burden of food systems. This cross-sectional online study was conducted in Israel among 348 adults aged 20–45 who responded to an advertisement posted on several social media platforms. Respondents received a link for the survey after signing informed consent forms. The questionnaire included three sections: concerns regarding food-related sustainability issues, willingness to act (“self”), and expectation that leaders would act upon these issues (“leaders”). Responses were recorded on a 1–4 Likert scale. Health-related issues—healthy food and drink, food prices, food safety, and the quality of health services—were scored the highest, both in the “self” and “leaders” sections. In all items, the expectation that leaders would act was higher than the willingness to act (composite mean ± SD: 3.04 ± 3.11 vs. 2.51 ± 2.47, respectively, p < 0.001). There were significant differences among dietary patterns in all three components. Mapping young adults’ concerns about and attitudes toward food-related sustainability issues allows for the identification of leverages that can be further used as focus issues in messages and interventions such as communication, food labeling, and economic incentives.

Consumer attitudes and behaviors toward more sustainable diets: a scoping review

“…The term sustainable diet has several meanings for consumers, including consuming a healthy, balanced diet 12 , 13 , 19 , 24 , 40 , 41 , 47 , 49 ; encompassing natural, organic, 12 , 24 , 33 , 37 , 40 , 41 , 43 , 47 , 49 fresh, 33 local, and seasonal 12 , 33 , 43 , 49 plant-based whole foods 33 , 37 , 47 ; less but better-quality meat consumption 12 , 43 ; and overall better-quality diets. 24 Although preserving the environment is a characteristic of sustainable diets, 41 , 47 , 49 health motivations and concerns are more salient in comparison with other components.…”

“… 24 Although preserving the environment is a characteristic of sustainable diets, 41 , 47 , 49 health motivations and concerns are more salient in comparison with other components. 13 , 14 , 47 , 66 Dietary carbon, water, and land footprints, along with the social and cultural impacts of diets, are generally not considered when conceptualizing sustainable diets. 14 , 25 , 33 , 40 , 47 And even in countries where land and water footprints are a consumer concern, 13 health and price are prioritized 13 , 14 , 19 , 25 , 27 , 48 , 53 , 67 over environmental, 12–14 , 28 , 32 , 41 sociocultural, and economic concerns.…”

“… 13 , 14 , 47 , 66 Dietary carbon, water, and land footprints, along with the social and cultural impacts of diets, are generally not considered when conceptualizing sustainable diets. 14 , 25 , 33 , 40 , 47 And even in countries where land and water footprints are a consumer concern, 13 health and price are prioritized 13 , 14 , 19 , 25 , 27 , 48 , 53 , 67 over environmental, 12–14 , 28 , 32 , 41 sociocultural, and economic concerns. 12 , 47 Evidence from Poland suggests that consumers are unfamiliar with the term sustainable diets and those that are have an incomplete understanding of its meaning; for instance, interpreting a sustainable diet as an “energy-balanced diet.” 25 Similarly, the findings from a recent a multicountry study suggest that consumers are not “fully aware of the overall importance” 24 of the term.…”

Introducing Food Sustainability in Formal Education: A Teaching-Learning Sequence Contextualized in the Garden for Secondary School Students

“…However, their preferences and attitudes do not always result in a change in their food choices. Their behavior is conditioned by a series of factors: holding ecological values, believing that every purchase has a positive effect on the environment, or simply being aware of, or more sensitive to the moral or ethical implications of their food choices [10][11][12][13]. It has also been noted that personal health and wellbeing serve as the main motivations for young consumers to get involved in ethical or sustainable food use.…”

Acceptance, impact and mechanisms of action of portion control tools for the management of body weight in adults

“…Manufacturing and recycling of food packaging has gained great importance in recent years. Whereas in the past people reported glass containers as the most preferred type of beverage container, nowadays people prefer Tetra Pak as it has a lower carbon footprint than other materials such as plastic, aluminium and glass beverages therefore it is seen as having a reduced environmental impact and promoting a sustainable food system (Tepper et al, 2020).…”