Diet Quality is Positively Associated With Nature Relatedness in a U.S. Population: A Pilot Study
Background: Sustainable dietary practices can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote planetary health. The importance of investigating how to promote sustainable dietary practices is therefore crucial. Nature Relatedness measures an individual’s connection to nature and can predict environ...
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Elsevier
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Preventive Medicine Reports |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335524003395 |
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| author | Dahlia Stott Jonathan M. Deutsch Micheal Bruneau, Jr. Jennifer A. Nasser Mara Z. Vitolins Brandy-Joe Milliron |
| author_facet | Dahlia Stott Jonathan M. Deutsch Micheal Bruneau, Jr. Jennifer A. Nasser Mara Z. Vitolins Brandy-Joe Milliron |
| author_sort | Dahlia Stott |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Sustainable dietary practices can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote planetary health. The importance of investigating how to promote sustainable dietary practices is therefore crucial. Nature Relatedness measures an individual’s connection to nature and can predict environmental concern and stewardship. While emerging research has suggested those with a higher degree of Nature Relatedness report the intention to follow more sustainable dietary practices, the relationship between actual dietary intake and Nature Relatedness has yet to be fully explored. Therefore, the purpose of this pilot study was to assess the relationship between diet quality and Nature Relatedness. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, participants across the United States completed the online survey from September to November 2023. Diet History Questionnaire II and Nature Relatedness scale were completed by the participants. Diet quality was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2020 total and component scores. Nature Relatedness total and subscale scores were computed. Pearson and Spearman Rho correlation coefficients assessed associations between HEI-2020 and Nature Relatedness. Simple linear regression models examined the relationships between HEI-2020 total and component scores and Nature Relatedness (controlling for age, gender, race, and education). Results: Three hundred adults completed the study. HEI-2020 total score was positively associated with Nature Relatedness (p < 0.001). Total fruit, total vegetable, green and beans, and refined grains component scores were positively associated with Nature Relatedness (p < 0.001). Nature Relatedness significantly predicted diet quality and total fruit, total vegetable, greens and beans, and moderation of refined grains consumption. Conclusions: There are positive and significant relationships between diet quality, components of dietary intake that may promote planetary health, and Nature Relatedness. Our findings may be used to inform future research and nutrition intervention programs promoting personal and planetary health through nature-based interventions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2c8cdb73c3f441a8b8c7ee7ab3a6e2aa |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2211-3355 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Preventive Medicine Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-2c8cdb73c3f441a8b8c7ee7ab3a6e2aa2025-08-20T02:37:29ZengElsevierPreventive Medicine Reports2211-33552024-12-014810292410.1016/j.pmedr.2024.102924Diet Quality is Positively Associated With Nature Relatedness in a U.S. Population: A Pilot StudyDahlia Stott0Jonathan M. Deutsch1Micheal Bruneau, Jr.2Jennifer A. Nasser3Mara Z. Vitolins4Brandy-Joe Milliron5Department of Health Sciences, Drexel University, 60 N 36th Street, Philadelphia, PA, USADepartment of Health Sciences, Drexel University, 101 N 33rd Street, Philadelphia, PA, USADepartment of Health Sciences, Drexel University, 60 N 36th Street, Philadelphia, PA, USADepartment of Health Sciences, Drexel University, 60 N 36th Street, Philadelphia, PA, USAWake Forest University School of Medicine, 1 Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC, USADepartment of Health Sciences, Drexel University, 60 N 36th Street, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Corresponding author.Background: Sustainable dietary practices can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote planetary health. The importance of investigating how to promote sustainable dietary practices is therefore crucial. Nature Relatedness measures an individual’s connection to nature and can predict environmental concern and stewardship. While emerging research has suggested those with a higher degree of Nature Relatedness report the intention to follow more sustainable dietary practices, the relationship between actual dietary intake and Nature Relatedness has yet to be fully explored. Therefore, the purpose of this pilot study was to assess the relationship between diet quality and Nature Relatedness. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, participants across the United States completed the online survey from September to November 2023. Diet History Questionnaire II and Nature Relatedness scale were completed by the participants. Diet quality was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2020 total and component scores. Nature Relatedness total and subscale scores were computed. Pearson and Spearman Rho correlation coefficients assessed associations between HEI-2020 and Nature Relatedness. Simple linear regression models examined the relationships between HEI-2020 total and component scores and Nature Relatedness (controlling for age, gender, race, and education). Results: Three hundred adults completed the study. HEI-2020 total score was positively associated with Nature Relatedness (p < 0.001). Total fruit, total vegetable, green and beans, and refined grains component scores were positively associated with Nature Relatedness (p < 0.001). Nature Relatedness significantly predicted diet quality and total fruit, total vegetable, greens and beans, and moderation of refined grains consumption. Conclusions: There are positive and significant relationships between diet quality, components of dietary intake that may promote planetary health, and Nature Relatedness. Our findings may be used to inform future research and nutrition intervention programs promoting personal and planetary health through nature-based interventions.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335524003395Diet qualityHEI-2020Nature RelatednessConnection to natureDietary intake |
| spellingShingle | Dahlia Stott Jonathan M. Deutsch Micheal Bruneau, Jr. Jennifer A. Nasser Mara Z. Vitolins Brandy-Joe Milliron Diet Quality is Positively Associated With Nature Relatedness in a U.S. Population: A Pilot Study Preventive Medicine Reports Diet quality HEI-2020 Nature Relatedness Connection to nature Dietary intake |
| title | Diet Quality is Positively Associated With Nature Relatedness in a U.S. Population: A Pilot Study |
| title_full | Diet Quality is Positively Associated With Nature Relatedness in a U.S. Population: A Pilot Study |
| title_fullStr | Diet Quality is Positively Associated With Nature Relatedness in a U.S. Population: A Pilot Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Diet Quality is Positively Associated With Nature Relatedness in a U.S. Population: A Pilot Study |
| title_short | Diet Quality is Positively Associated With Nature Relatedness in a U.S. Population: A Pilot Study |
| title_sort | diet quality is positively associated with nature relatedness in a u s population a pilot study |
| topic | Diet quality HEI-2020 Nature Relatedness Connection to nature Dietary intake |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335524003395 |
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