| Background: Todays, due to the impact of human food choices on increasing greenhouse gas emissions, water
consumption and environmental degradation, there is a new approach about changing the pattern of food
production and consumption, including sustainable food and nutrition system related to consumption. This study
aimed to explore the components of a sustainable diet among the factors that affect people’s food choices.
Methods: This qualitative study was carried out using an in-depth interview with 33 individuals aged 30–64 years
old living in different areas of Tehran. Data collection, data analysis and theoretical conceptualization were
performed simultaneously. MAXQDA 10 software was used for managing and organizing the data.
Results: In this paper, the findings are categorized according to the key components of a sustainable diet in five
themes: “Health and Nutrition”, “Food and Agriculture Security”, “Environment and Ecosystems”, “Markets, food trade
and production chains”, “social, cultural, and policy factors” were categorized. Meanwhile, the components of the
“Health and Nutrition” domain had the highest contribution and the components of the two domains “food and
agriculture” and “environment and ecosystems” had the lowest role based on the participants’ perception in this
study.
Conclusion: Considering to the low importance of the components of a sustainable diet in food choices of the
community, promoting the individual awareness of sustainable diet components, clarifying the importance of food
choices in creating environmental impacts and leading the national macro policies in the field food and nutrition
toward sustainable diet goals are essential. |