Do I Eat Healthy, Consciously, and Sustainably? A Preliminary Study on Food-Centric Relationships.

Abstract

This preliminary study investigates the relationship between cooking skills 'CS' (ability to prepare food), food skills 'FS' (educational level about food and nutrition), sociodemographic factors (age, gender, height, weight, physical activity levels, and predefined diets), psychological behaviour (how mood states influence food intake), interest in a healthy sustainable lifestyle, and other food-centric factors. Using self-reported data from a total of 126 participants from 2 distinct surveys, the results mainly show a positive correlation between food-related scores like CS and FS, and differences in external factors (eg, social environment) that influence eating habits. While some relationships between self-reported behaviour and actual nutrition are limited due to the studies design and scope, the findings highlight the critical role of CS and FS in promoting sustainable eating habits, weight management, and cooking skills. The study emphasises the need for further research and the development of educational strategies to improve dietary behaviour and overall well-being. Another contribution is the publication of all developed tools and apps for free use to promote future research.