Environmentally conscious behavior at three Northeastern universities

Abstract

Environmentally‐conscious eating, also known as green eating (GE), and transportation choices play a major role in the sustainability movement. The aim of this study was to compare motivational readiness to adopt GE and sustainable transportation (ST) behaviors among three universities as well as investigate the relationship between GE and ST. Stage of Change (SOC) for GE and ST, demographics, and GE Behavior Scale score (GEB) were assessed online using previously validated surveys in convenience samples of 18–24 year old students at 3 Northeastern universities, one private and two public. The sample of 1324 students was predominantly female (70%) with mean BMI of 25.5±3.8kg/m2 and mean age of 19.4±1.4 years. A higher proportion of students were in the action/maintenance SOC for GE and ST at the private university (37% and 80%) compared to the public universities (24 and 42% for GE, 25 and 57% for ST)(p<.01) but there was no difference in GEB among universities. There were differences among universities by age, gender, and BMI. Combining universities and adjusting for demographic differences, there was an association between ST SOC and GEB (F=3.1, p<.01) with ST precontemplators demonstrating lower GEB scores than those in ST maintenance (p<.05). Findings suggest environmentally conscious behavior differs among universities and there may be a relationship between GE and ST behaviors. Research funded by the USDA.