Personal, Behavioral, and Socio-environmental Correlates of Emerging Adults' Sustainable Food Consumption in a Cross-sectional Analysis.

Abstract

Describe how dietary intake patterns of US young adults align with the EAT-Lancet Planetary Health Diet (PHD) sustainable diet goals, and identify personal, behavioral, and socio-environmental correlates of sustainable intake. Data on past-year dietary intake were captured using a food frequency questionnaire. 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, behavioral, and socio-environmental factors and PHD scores. 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. Ethnically/racially diverse group of participants (n=1,308) with a mean age of 22.1 (SD 2.0) years. 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, soy, 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 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. 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.