Understanding sustainable dietary behaviours in Sweden: A cross-sectional quantitative study
2024 (English)Independent thesis Basic level (degree of Bachelor), 10 credits / 15 HE credits
Student thesis
Abstract [en]
Sweden has for many years now emerged as one of the leaders in the work of sustainability because of its ambitious environmental goals and policies. However, the country's reliance on imported food and the agriculture sector's significant greenhouse gas emissions (GHGe) present challenges to its sustainability efforts. The food system comprises three interconnected parts: agriculture, the improved supply chain, and consumer dietary choices. Each of these components plays a crucial role in the sustainability of the food system. The topic of consumer behaviours is becoming increasingly prominent in discussions regarding sustainable food systems. This study therefore focuses on the sustainable eating habits of Swedish adults and investigates their understanding of sustainable dietary behaviours. This study is based on Kawasaki et al. (2024), who categorised sustainable dietary behaviours into five elements: food choice, storing and preservation, cooking, eating and disposal. A survey with randomised participants was conducted, resulting in 287 respondents, to examine Swedish adults’ dietary choices and behaviours as well as their knowledge of sustainable behaviours. Respondents were also asked what influenced their choices and what barriers they identified in order to be more sustainable in their everyday lives. The results indicate that respondents associate sustainable dietary behaviours with eating in a way that helps mitigate climate change and does not harm the environment. The majority of respondents indicated that taste (57%), price (59%), and health (58%) were significant factors influencing their dietary choices. Additionally, many respondents cited high grocery prices and personal preferences as potential barriers to adopting more sustainable dietary habits. This study underscores the need for more research on sustainable dietary behaviors and clear guidelines for policymakers. Prioritizing dimensions of sustainability and analyzing flaws in the food system are crucial steps toward finding solutions.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2024. , p. 66
Keywords [en]
Food, environment, dietary choices, sustainable dietary behaviours, food consumption patterns, food systems, Sweden.
National Category
Natural Sciences
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:sh:diva-59066OAI: oai:DiVA.org:sh-59066DiVA, id: diva2:2031192
Subject / course
Environment and development
Examiners
2026-01-232026-01-222026-01-23Bibliographically approved