Promoting Planetary Health, One Bite at a Time: Examining the Efficacy and Feasibility of a Dietary Behaviour Change...

The climate crisis is affecting the food system and human health, requiring a population-wide dietary shift to safeguard our future. This study examined the efficacy and feasibility of an intervention intended to increase the adoption of healthy and sustainable diet-related practices.

A mixed-methods, pilot case study design was used to examine the efficacy and feasibility of the PlanEATary Quest 3-week intervention, where participants complete pre-post questionnaires and select sustainability-focused behaviour change tasks from a menu of healthy and sustainable diet-related activities. Quantitative results (pre-post survey) were analysed using a paired-sample t-test and a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Qualitative data (interview transcripts) were thematically analysed deductively, guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research.

Nutrition and dietetic professionals employed in diverse roles (clinical, community health, food service, management and dedicated food sustainability roles) at a large Australian health service participated in the PlanEATary Quest.

Analysis of the pre-post questionnaire revealed statistically significant improvements in scores for five of 12 targeted dietary behaviours, suggesting desirable dietary shifts and knowledge gains regarding planetary health. Of the 40 intervention participants, 14 completed a follow-up interview or survey. Interview and survey data revealed several factors influencing intervention engagement: individual attitudes, workplace culture and leadership support and intervention delivery style.

Based on examination of this pilot intervention, the PlanEATary Quest has the potential to increase the adoption of healthy and sustainable dietary behaviours. SO WHAT?: These findings highlight the potential role of workplace-based, experiential interventions in supporting behaviour change. The expansion of such interventions amongst health professionals, and potentially other audiences, may be an effective and feasible approach to support dietary shifts that benefit both human and planetary health.