Relationship between sustainable food literacy, organic food consumption and climate change awareness and worry in Türkiye

OBJECTIVE: The rapid increase in population, industrialization, and the rise in fossil fuel consumption have led to issues such as the depletion of natural resources, loss of biodiversity, and climate change, bringing the concept of sustainability to the forefront. This study aimed to examine the relationship between sustainable food literacy, organic food consumption, climate change awareness and worry. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 1660 adults aged 18-65 years. Data were collected via a web-based survey that included demographic information, self-reported anthropometric measurements, and validated scales: Climate Change Awareness Scale, Climate Change Worry Scale, Organic Food Consumption Scale, and Sustainable Food Literacy Scale. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 29.3 ± 12.07 years. A strong positive relationship was observed between the total score of the Climate Change Awareness Scale and the scores of the Climate Change Worry Scale, Organic Food Consumption Scale, and Sustainable Food Literacy Scale (r = 0.230, p < 0.001; r = 0.149, p < 0.001; r = 0.173, p < 0.001, respectively). According to linear regression analysis, it was determined that gender, education level, Climate Change Awareness Scale total score, Climate Change Worry Scale score, and Sustainable Food Literacy Scale score were correlated with the Organic Food Consumption Scale score (R²=0.527; p < 0.001). On the other hand, it was determined that gender, education level, income status, Climate Change Awareness Scale total score, Climate Change Anxiety Scale score and Organic Food Consumption Scale score were correlated with the Sustainable Food Literacy Scale score (R²=0.505; p < 0.001). It was determined that Climate Change Anxiety Scale score and the Sustainable Food Literacy Scale score were associated with the Climate Change Awareness Scale total score (R²=0.246; p < 0.001). In addition, it was determined that gender, marital status, Climate Change Awareness Scale total score, and Sustainable Food Literacy Scale score were associated with the Climate Change Worry Scale score (R²=0.286; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: As a result, to combat global climate change, it is necessary to conduct further research in this field by considering these relationships, to identify and improve the factors influencing sustainable behaviors, to promote organic food consumption, and to assess awareness and anxiety regarding climate change.