Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

This cross-sectional exploratory study primarily investigated how health-oriented framing can enhance engagement with sustainability, using dietary acid load (DAL), fiber intake, commensality, and depression. Although the study was based on a relatively small and homogeneous sample, limiting generalizability, several indicative patterns emerged.

Pearson’s correlation analysis showed a positive association between DAL (PRAL) and depressive symptoms (r = 0.70, p = 0.008), which was confirmed by linear regression (β = 0.165, p = 0.008, R² = 0.49). Fiber intake was negatively associated with depressive symptoms (r = –0.65, p = 0.017; β = –0.323, p = 0.017, R² = 0.42) and with DAL (r = –0.67, p = 0.012; β = –1.41, p = 0.012, R² = 0.45). Commensality frequency showed a tendency toward fewer depressive symptoms (r = –0.47, p = 0.058; β = –2.96, p = 0.114, R² = 0.16), but the association did not reach statistical significance, and no clear link with DAL was observed (r = –0.18, p = 0.56; β = –1.89, p = 0.747, R² = 0.01). Qualitative observations further showed that when sustainability was framed through health, particularly mental wellbeing, participants became more attentive and motivated to reflect on their dietary choices. This suggests that connecting sustainability to personal health may be an effective communication strategy.

Taken together, the findings highlight the potential of health-oriented framing as an accessible entry point to sustainability, while also suggesting that dietary acid load may serve as a useful indicator for linking health outcomes with broader aspects of dietary sustainability. Future research with larger and more diverse populations is needed to confirm these associations and further explore the role of health-based communication in promoting sustainable dietary transitions.