Healthy and Sustainable Food Choices in European Households: A Cross-Cultural Study of Knowledge, Practices, Intentions, and Barriers.

Background

Growing concerns about health and sustainability are accelerating the need to transform food systems to promote well-being and reduce environmental impacts. Despite increasing policy efforts, evidence remains limited on self-perceived knowledge, reported practices, intentions, and perceived barriers related to healthy and sustainable eating among European households with children. Establishing healthy eating habits during childhood is essential for long-term health, with parents playing a pivotal role in shaping these behaviors. Understanding the factors and barriers related to food choices is essential for informing interventions that support healthier and more sustainable dietary practices.

Methods

This study, conducted in 2023 as part of the European TITAN project, explored parental perceptions and practices related to healthy and sustainable eating in Spain, Poland, and Finland. A structured questionnaire was completed by 240 parents of children aged 6-12 in each country using quota sampling based on national income tertiles.

Results

Although households reported high self-perceived knowledge, patterns consistent with a possible discrepancy between self-perceived knowledge and reported food choices were observed. Finnish households, despite showing the highest recognition of predefined healthy and sustainable eating concepts, reported lower self-reported adherence to healthy and sustainable practices. Reducing meat consumption and choosing sustainably sourced seafood were among the least valued actions across all countries. Cost was the most frequently reported barrier, especially in Finland (60%), alongside greater difficulty in forming new habits and resisting less healthy options. Overall, cost and behavioral constraints were among the most frequently reported barriers to healthier and more sustainable dietary practices.

Conclusions

These findings highlight the need for culturally tailored strategies to support households in transitioning toward healthier and more sustainable dietary behaviors. Addressing perceived barriers and food-choice constraints may be important for supporting healthier and more sustainable dietary practices at the household level.