Determination of Teachers’ Sustainable and Healthy Eating Behaviors and Ecological Footprint Awareness

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the sustainable and healthy eating behaviors and ecological footprint awareness of teachers from different branches. For this purpose, 270 teachers from different branches participated in the study. The research data were collected in the internet environment through the online survey link sent to the participants. The survey includes individual characteristics, sustainable and healthy eating (SHE) behaviors scale and awareness scale for reducing ecological footprint (ASREF). 64.8% of the participants are female and 34.9% are male teachers. The total mean score of the teachers' SHE behaviors scale was 4.1±1.15 and no significant difference was found according to gender. It was determined that the highest score in the sub-dimensions was in avoiding food waste, and the lowest score was in the reduction of meat consumption and local food sub-dimensions. The total score of the teachers' ASREF was 3.9±0.88. There was no significant difference in total score and sub-dimensions according to gender. When the SHE behaviors scale were evaluated according to the branch, it was determined that in basic education and sports branches was higher than in verbal, language and arts and numerical branches (p=0.031). The total score of SHE behaviors scale of the teachers was found to be higher in those who received nutrition education (4.4±1.15) than those who did not (4.0±1.12) (p=0.001). It was determined that the reduction of meat consumption and low-fat sub-dimension were statistically significantly negatively correlated with BMI (p