The impact of dietary preference on household food waste: evidence from China

Li Zhang ¹, Linxiang Ye ^1,2, Long Qian ¹

⁰Institute of Food and Strategic Reserves, Nanjing University of Finance and Economics, Nanjing, China.

Frontiers in Nutrition +

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July 24, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Improving dietary preferences significantly reduces household food waste in China. Refrigerator use moderates this effect, with impacts varying by demographics and region, offering insights for developing countries.

Area Of Science

Agricultural Economics
Environmental Science
Consumer Behavior

Background

Household food waste is a major contributor to global food waste, impacting food security and resource management.
Reducing household food waste is critical for economic and environmental sustainability.
China, as a major developing country, faces significant challenges with household food waste.

Purpose Of The Study

To estimate daily household food waste in China using the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS).
To analyze the relationship between dietary preferences and household food waste.
To investigate the moderating role of household refrigerator use on this relationship.

Main Methods

Utilized count regression models to analyze food waste data from 6,418 observations in the CHNS.
Calculated dietary preference scores for household heads.
Performed heterogeneity analysis to examine variations across demographic and regional factors.

Main Results

A higher dietary preference score was significantly associated with a lower household food waste ratio.
Household refrigerator use positively moderated the influence of dietary preference on food waste.
The impact of dietary preference on food waste varied significantly by household head's gender and age, household size, economic status, urban-rural classification, and geographic region.

Conclusions

Enhancing dietary preferences is an effective strategy for reducing household food waste in China.
Understanding the moderating effect of refrigerator use and regional heterogeneity is crucial for targeted interventions.
Findings offer valuable implications for food waste reduction strategies in other developing nations.

Keywords:

China carbon footprint dietary preference food waste refrigerator use