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Sociodemographic Characteristics and Dietary Choices as Determinants of Climate Change Understanding and Concern in Saudi Arabia

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  • Ghada Talat Alhothali

    (Department of Marketing, College of Business, University of Jeddah, Jeddah 3795, Saudi Arabia)

  • Noha M. Almoraie

    (Food and Nutrition Department, Faculty of Human Sciences and Design, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 3270, Saudi Arabia)

  • Israa M. Shatwan

    (Food and Nutrition Department, Faculty of Human Sciences and Design, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 3270, Saudi Arabia)

  • Najlaa M. Aljefree

    (Food and Nutrition Department, Faculty of Human Sciences and Design, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 3270, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

Climate change poses a global threat to public health. This study investigated the understanding of, and concern over, climate change in Saudi Arabia and examined the associations with sociodemographic characteristics and dietary choices. This cross-sectional study consisted of 280 participants recruited via an online survey. Of the study participants, 45% demonstrated a sufficient understanding of climate change, and 56% were highly concerned about climate change. Male sex, medium-high monthly income, high education, and governmental employees were determinants of sufficient understanding of and great concern over climate change. Participants who exhibited a high understanding of climate change score demonstrated significantly higher consumption of vegetables (3.47 ± 0.98) and vegetable oils (3.26 ± 1.07) than participants with a low understanding score (3.31 ± 0.96 and 3.00 ± 1.01, respectively) ( p ≤ 0.01). Additionally, participants with higher concern of climate change scores exhibited lower consumption of red meat ( p = 0.0001), poultry ( p = 0.003), margarine ( p = 0.02), and soy products ( p = 0.04). The study revealed a poor understanding of, but great concern over, climate change. The intake of non-climate-friendly food was typically higher than that of climate-friendly food. These findings are critical for developing strategies to enhance awareness of climate change and encourage people to consume climate-friendly food to mitigate climate change and improve public health.

Suggested Citation

  • Ghada Talat Alhothali & Noha M. Almoraie & Israa M. Shatwan & Najlaa M. Aljefree, 2021. "Sociodemographic Characteristics and Dietary Choices as Determinants of Climate Change Understanding and Concern in Saudi Arabia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:20:p:10605-:d:653037
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    References listed on IDEAS

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