Evaluation of sustainable and healthy eating behaviors and ecological footprint awareness in college students

Introduction: Assessing university students’ eating habits and environmental awareness is important for adopting a healthy and sustainable lifestyle in the future. This study aimed to investigate university students’ ecological footprints and their awareness of sustainable and healthy eating (SHE) habits. Methods: Data from 307 students was collected via a web-based survey. The survey form included demographic information, anthropometric data, the “sustainable and healthy eating behaviors scale,” and the “ecological footprint awareness scale.” Results: There was a significant difference in healthy and balanced nutrition scores between the nutrition and dietetics department and other departments (p < 0.05). Healthy and balanced nutrition, reducing meat consumption, local foods, preventing food waste, and seasonal foods sub-dimensions showed a weak and positive correlation with education level (p < 0.05). The water consumption score, a sub-dimension of the “ecological footprint awareness scale,” showed a significant difference between the nutrition and dietetics department and other departments. The “sustainable and healthy eating behaviors scale” showed weak to strong positive correlations with food, waste, housing, and mobility (p < 0.05). Energy and water consumption showed weak to moderate positive correlations with the “sustainable and healthy eating behaviors scale” (excluding local food) (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Ecological footprint awareness (EFA) and SHE behaviors are related among college students. Young adults with higher levels of education have higher EFA and are more prone to healthy and sustainable eating behaviors.