The effects of food choice and demographic characteristics on adult's behavior towards sustainable nutrition: Comparison of four different generation

The rapidly growing world population, the transformation of dietary habits and the negative effects of climate change on environmental and individual health are increasing the interest in sustainable nutrition every day. This study was planned to examine the influences of demographic characteristics on the behaviors towards to sustainable nutrition and food choices of adults aged between 18 and 65 years living in Turkey and to compare these influences among four generations. Between November 2024 and March 2025, a total of 591 individuals, 435 females and 156 males, between the ages of 18 and 65 living in Turkey participated in this study. Participants' demographic characteristics, behaviors towards sustainable nutrition and food choices were collected by online survey method. The mean score of sustainable dietary behavior was 108.72 ± 20.03 out of 145. Sustainable nutrition differs among the four generations. It was found that the score of sustainable nutrition behavior increased with rising age. The level of behavior towards sustainable nutrition differs according to gender and employment status. According to the findings of the study, females and retired individuals were found to have higher scores of behavior towards to sustainable nutrition. Food choices differ among the four generations. For the participants, health, natural, weight, familiar, environment, animal and social justice motivations were found to be effective on food choices. As a conclusion, further studies are needed to understand sustainable dietary behaviors and the motivations affecting food choices.