Food choices and sustainability considerations and their association with food consumption patterns in East Asian students in the USA

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine food choice motivations in terms of sustainability and the safety of the food system and how these are related to food consumption patterns for East Asian international students. Design/methodology/approach This cross-sectional study developed and validated a survey instrument through a pilot study and a review of existing validated instruments. East Asian international students from four New York area campuses completed this survey online, administered after obtaining written consent. Findings Students generally did not prioritize the factors of food production, food safety and environmental concerns when making food choices. However, when these factors were considered, the data revealed that a heightened concern for food production processes was associated with an increased consumption of whole foods. Specifically, when students exhibited stronger motivations related to food safety, there was a noticeable decline in the consumption of processed foods, coupled with a rise in the intake of whole foods. Similarly, students who expressed greater concern for environmental issues – such as the conditions of farm workers, pollution, resource use, food waste and the locality of food production – demonstrated a greater consumption of whole foods after their arrival in the USA. As students underwent the process of acculturation, their concern for environmental factors became more pronounced. Practical implications As students may have the opportunity to contribute to their home countries upon return, it is important to understand how they consider environmental and food safety concerns in their food choices. This insight can guide US education on sustainable food systems, helping students make informed contributions to the westernization of food systems in their home countries. Nutrition education is essential to raise awareness of how food systems impact the environment and to encourage students to advocate for environmentally responsible policies both during their stay in the USA and after they return home. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that examined food choice motivation in terms of sustainability and the safety of the food system and how these are related to food consumption patterns for East Asian international students.