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. 2023 Jun;26(6):1306-1316.
doi: 10.1017/S1368980023000654. Epub 2023 Apr 4.

Personal, behavioural and socio-environmental correlates of emerging adults' sustainable food consumption in a cross-sectional analysis

Elizabeth Ludwig-Borycz  1 , Dianne Neumark-Sztainer  2 , Nicole Larson  2 , Ana Baylin  1   3 , Andrew D Jones  1 , Allison Webster  4 , Katherine W Bauer  1
Affiliations

Personal, behavioural and socio-environmental correlates of emerging adults' sustainable food consumption in a cross-sectional analysis

Elizabeth Ludwig-Borycz et al. Public Health Nutr. 2023 Jun.

Abstract

Objective: Describe how dietary intake patterns of US young adults align with the EAT-Lancet Planetary Health Diet (PHD) sustainable diet goals and identify personal, behavioural, and socio-environmental correlates of sustainable intake.

Design: Data on past-year dietary intake were captured using a FFQ. The PHD was applied to specific food groups, and a total PHD score was calculated. Linear regression models were used to identify associations between personal, behavioural and socio-environmental factors and PHD scores.

Setting: This cross-sectional analysis uses data from the second wave of EAT 2010-2018 (Eating and Activity over Time), a population-based longitudinal study recruited in Minnesota.

Participants: Ethnically/racially diverse group of participants (n 1308) with a mean age of 22·1 (sd 2·0) years.

Results: The mean PHD score was 4·1 (sd 1·4) on a scale of 0-14, with 14 representing the most sustainable. On average, participants consumed fewer whole grains, fish, legumes, soya, and nuts than ideal for a sustainable diet, and an excess of eggs, added sugar, and meat. The PHD score was higher for participants with higher socio-economic status (SES) and greater educational attainment. Higher home availability of healthy food (β = 0·24, P < 0·001) and less frequent fast-food consumption (β = -0·26, P < 0·001) were the strongest correlates of PHD scores.

Conclusions: Results suggest that a high percentage of participants may not be achieving the sustainable diet goals defined by the PHD. Reductions in meat consumption and increases in plant-based foods are necessary to increase the sustainability of US young adults' diets.

Keywords: Animal-sourced food; Dietary intake; Nutrition; Planetary Health Diet; Plant-based food; Sustainable food consumption; Young adult.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Difference of Project EAT 2018 Participant Intake from Planetary Health Diet Targets
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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