Socio-demographic determinants and health related behaviors associated with sustainable food related choices : a quantitative, cross-sectional study of sustainable food and dietary choices among parents of elementary school children in Norway

Abstract

Background and objectives: Creating a sustainable food system is considered a global challenge. Evidence suggests reductions of food waste and animal product consumption are among the most important consumer level changes in a food sustainability perspective. The present study aims to gain more knowledge on who is likely to make sustainable food related choices, focusing on household food waste and consumption of animal products. Methods: A selection of socio-demographic determinants and health related behaviors were included in the study. Data were obtained from a questionnaire survey from the study “Fruits and Vegetables Make the Marks”. All data is self-reported information from parents of elementary school children. To determine the association between the included variables, independent samples t-test and chi square statistics were performed, followed by two separate multivariate logistical regression analyses. Results: Increasing age and high level of education were significant correlates of low household food waste. High annual income and high consumption of unhealthy snacks were associated with more household food waste. Increasing age, high annual income and high consumption of fruits and vegetables were associated with attempting to reduce consumption of animal products. Conclusion: Age, socio-economic status (SES) and type of diet seem to be key determinants of sustainable food related choices at consumer level. The effect of SES varied according to food waste and animal product consumption. SES as measured by annual household income or by parent educational level also led to different results. The association between SES and sustainable food related choices should be a topic for further research. Keywords: Diet sustainability, food waste, animal products, socio-demographic determinants, health related behaviors