Cross-cultural comparison of factors influencing sustainable dietary behaviors among Japanese and German adults

Abstract

Background

The concept of integrated sustainable dietary behaviors (SDBs) focuses on a series of dietary behaviors from food choice, storage and preservation, preparation (cooking), consumption, and disposal, as well as dietary patterns.

Objectives

This study qualitatively describes the factors influencing the implementation of SDBs in Japanese and German adults and quantitatively compares the factors between the two cultures.

Methods

The online survey targeted 700 Japanese and 235 German adults, while the oral interview focused on 16 Japanese participants, recruited by a web-research company in 2021. Manifest content analysis, alongside chi-square and Fisher's exact tests, was used.

Results

The participants’ mean (SD) ages were 40.5 (10.9; Japanese; questionnaire), 26.2 (8.1; German; Questionnaire), and 38.1 (12.6; Japanese; interview), respectively. The 2515 codes (Japanese: 930; German: 1585) that emerged from the content analysis were divided into five main categories: (1) intrapersonal, (2) interpersonal, (3) food environment, (4) government, local governments, and research institutions, and (5) other. Compared to the Germans, the Japanese participants had a higher percentage of references to the “intrapersonal” and “government, local government, and research institution” categories. Japanese participants were more likely to cite psychological factors, portion size, and other factors, whereas German participants frequently referenced biology, skills of SDB, local access to sustainable food, and neighborhood characteristics.

Conclusion

Cultural differences were found in the perceived factors for implementing SDBs. This study provides insight into the factors in implementing SDBs and can assist the development of promotion strategies that consider the cultural backgrounds of target populations.