Assessing adolescents’ knowledge, attitudes and practices of food sustainability in the UK : a mixed- methods socioeconomic comparison study

Food sustainability is a multidimensional concept encompassing environmental, social, economic, and health dimensions. Given that food systems contribute significantly to climate change, natural resource depletion, global inequities, and public health issues, addressing these challenges has highlighted the importance of sustainability as a global priority. Adolescents, as future leaders, are central to this discussion, as their choices and behaviours can shape future food systems; yet their understanding is influenced by a broader structural context. This study assesses adolescents’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices of food sustainability in the UK, guided by the socio-ecological model, which examines how individual, social, and environmental factors influence behaviour. A mixed-method approach was employed. Quantitative data (n = 100) were collected through a validated structured survey questionnaire, while qualitative insights were obtained from semi-structured online interviews (n = 8). Descriptive statistics revealed limited knowledge of food sustainability. Correlation analysis and regression tests confirmed that both knowledge (r = 0.52, p < 0.001) and attitudes (r = 0.48, p < 0.001) were strong predictors of sustainable practices. Qualitative thematic analysis indicated that, although attitudes towards sustainability were largely positive, actual practices were often limited by social and economic constraints. Triangulation of quantitative and qualitative findings highlighted a recurring pattern: knowledge is partial and conceptually limited, and attitudes were positive but insufficient to drive action. Socio-economic comparison highlighted that while awareness levels were broadly low across groups, barriers differed with adolescents from high socio-economic status reported convenience and time pressure, whereas low SES adolescents were more affected by affordability and accessibility. Taste, peer influence, family habits and digital media outweighed environmental and ethical considerations. In conclusion, this thesis provides a comprehensive account of adolescents' engagement with food sustainability, integrating quantitative and qualitative perspectives and a mixed methods design. These results underscore a persistent knowledge-to-practice gap, emphasising the need for targeted educational interventions to strengthen adolescents’ understanding of the multidimensional concept of food sustainability, and to address contextual barriers that support sustainable practices across socio-economic groups. Keywords: Food sustainability; adolescents; knowledge, attitudes and practices; socio-ecological model; mixed-methods research; socio-economic status.

Grantor dc:publisher

Oxford Brookes University

Author dc:creator

• Khanam, Saba

Contributors dc:contributor

• Coe, Shelly
• Daly, Aisling

Statement dc:rights

• All rights reserved

Language dc:language

en

DOI dc:identifier

https://doi.org/10.24384/13eb-t990

OAI identifier oai:identifier

tle:204decab-dda3-468c-a831-4721971f1a0f:d6bd9758-527a-46cd-bfe2-c433766e8fca:1