The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of college students' attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control on dietary behavioral intention in response to climate change based on the Theory of Planned Behavior. Data were collected from 167 students. Main findings were as follows:
First, dietary behavioral intention had a score of 3.69 points, with items on ‘waste separation disposal’ and ‘willingness to participate in behaviors that do not generate waste’ having the highest scores. Second, attitude showed a positive correlation with dietary behavioral intention. The item of ‘reducing the intake of fast food and processed foods helps protect the environment’ had the highest correlation while the item of ‘it is desirable to reduce meat consumption to cope with climate change’ had the lowest correlation. Third, the reference with the highest correlation between subjective norm and dietary behavioral intention was ‘parents’ and the reference with the lowest correlation was ‘sns such as instagram’. Fourth, the item with the highest correlation between perceived behavioral control and dietary behavioral intention was ‘checking the eco-label, carbon footprint, and food mileage’. Perceived behavioral control for ‘waste separation disposal’ had the lowest correlation with dietary behavioral intention. Fifth, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and attitude had significant positive effects on dietary behavioral intention in that order and explained 64% of dietary behavioral intention.
To improve dietary behavior intentions in response to climate change, there is a need for education to strengthen attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control and to emphasize the impact of meat consumption on climate change.