Food, feelings, and the future – exploring the connections between dietary behaviours, the environment and wellbeing among young adults in Aotearoa, New Zealand

Climate change is one of the most serious global health threats of the 21st century. The modern food system is accelerating climate change through greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, biodiversity loss, excessive water and energy use, soil erosion, and pollution (1) . Environmental degradation, in turn, is fuelling climate change worry, defined as a persistent fear of ecological catastrophe, particularly affecting youth and young adults (2) . Environmentally friendly diets, such as those low in animal products and high in seasonal and local produce, are known to benefit both planetary and human health (1) . However, little is known about how young adults in Aotearoa New Zealand understand and engage in sustainable eating behaviours, and how this relates to climate change worry. The Food, Feelings and the Future project developed and applied a survey to assess knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours (KAB) towards environmentally-friendly diets, and examined the relationship between climate change worry and dietary behaviours among young adults (18–35 years) in Aotearoa New Zealand. Our study employed a mixed-methods, cross-sectional online questionnaire guided by the KAB framework. The 60-item questionnaire included Likert-scale and open-ended questions, which was reviewed by an expert panel for content validity and piloted for usability prior to dissemination. Participants were recruited using a stepwise convenience sampling approach via the research team’s social media, in-person promotions, and targeted organisational outreach. Quantitative data was analysed descriptively, and qualitative data was analysed using an inductive thematic approach. Two hundred participants (25 ± 5 years; 80% female) completed the survey, with representation from NZ European (57%), Chinese (11%), Māori (7%), Indian (5%), Cook Island Māori (1%) and ‘Other’ (18%) ethnicities. The majority of participants were omnivores (71%), followed by flexitarian/pescatarian (15%) and vegetarian/vegan (14%). Over half of participants strongly agreed or agreed that it is important their food and drink choices are environmentally friendly, only 37% reported following such patterns ‘often’ or ‘always’. The most common barriers for following an environmentally friendly diet were price and convenience. When questioned what an environmentally friendly diet means to them as a young adult living in Aotearoa New Zealand, participants highlighted themes of minimally processed, locally sourced kai (food) with minimal wastage along the food supply chain. Furthermore, climate change worry was widespread: 87% reported experiencing this at least sometimes, and 68% reported that this caused them to feel ‘distressed’ or ‘very distressed’. Participants reported that climate change worry has caused a shift in dietary behaviours, with changes including reduced meat consumption, increased purchase of local/seasonal foods, and avoiding products with excessive packaging. Climate change worry was highly prevalent among young adults in Aotearoa New Zealand and appeared to motivate shifts towards more sustainable eating patterns; however, cost and convenience remain key barriers. Enhancing the affordability and accessibility of locally sourced, minimal processed and environmentally friendly food options would better align environmental values with dietary behaviours, benefiting both planetary and human health.