Research Article

Integrated sustainability awareness in future dietitians: Impact of the Sustainable Nutrition Course

Volume: 18 Number: 1 April 30, 2026
TR EN

Integrated sustainability awareness in future dietitians: Impact of the Sustainable Nutrition Course

Abstract

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are crucial across various disciplines, including Nutrition and Dietetics. Dietitians must enhance their eco-ethical leadership skills to contribute to these goals and advocate for a healthier planet. This study aimed to assess the acute effects of a 15-week Sustainable Nutrition (SN) course on students' sustainability consciousness and sustainable development awareness. A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used, involving students enrolled in the course for the first time (n=39) and those who had never taken it (n=36). Data were collected between September 2022 and January 2023 using a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Sustainable Consciousness Questionnaire (SCQ-L), and the Sustainable Development Awareness Scale (SDAS). Sociodemographic characteristics were similar between groups. The SCQ-L "knowledge" sub-dimension scores were significantly higher in students who completed the SN course than those who did not (p=0.043). Additionally, students who took the course scored significantly higher in all SDAS sub-dimensions (economic, social, and environmental) and total SDAS scores (p<0.05). These findings suggest that a SN course can enhance students' sustainability knowledge and awareness of sustainable development. However, long-term, applied educational approaches are necessary to foster eco-ethical leadership and advocacy skills for meaningful behavioral change. Incorporating sustainability-focused courses into the Nutrition and Dietetics curriculum is essential for preparing future dietitians to contribute effectively to the SDGs.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This study was carried out as a sub-study of the TUBITAK 3005-Innovative Solutions in Social and Human Sciences Research Projects Support Program (Project No: 122G123), titled “Assessment of the Situation and Development of a Training Plan for Dietitian Candidates for the Dissemination of Sustainable Nutrition in Society”.

Project Number

122G123

Ethical Statement

The study procedure was performed according to the Declaration of Helsinki and STROBE checklist (von Elm et al., 2008). Prior to participation, all individuals were thoroughly informed about the study’s purpose and methodology, and verbal consent was obtained from those who agreed to participate. After securing verbal consent, the questionnaire was distributed to students who volunteered for the study. Participants were assured of the confidentiality and anonymity of their responses. Ethical approval was obtained from the Erciyes University Social and Human Sciences Ethics Committee (Approval Date: 15.09.2022, Approval No: 402).

Thanks

This study was funded by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) under the project code 122G123 with the 3005-Novel Solutions in Social and Human Sciences Research Support Programme. The authors would like to thank the funder TUBITAK and the Erciyes University Research Dean's Office for office allocation. The authors conducted this study within their research group Tellus - Sustainable Nutrition and Health Research.

References

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  2. Referans2 United Nations., Transforming our world: The 2030 agenda for sustainable development. New York: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, 2015. 1: p. 41.
  3. Referans3 Rieckmann, M., Education for sustainable development goals: Learning objectives. 2017: UNESCO publishing.
  4. Referans4 Heath, S.C., Navigating psychosocial dimensions: understanding the intersections of adaptation strategies and well-being outcomes in the context of climate change. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 2025. 72: p. 101493.
  5. Referans5 Strezov, V., A. Evans, and T.J. Evans, Assessment of the economic, social and environmental dimensions of the indicators for sustainable development. Sustainable development, 2017. 25(3): p. 242-253.
  6. Referans6 McCormack, J., et al., How do dietetics students learn about sustainability? A scoping review. Nutrition & Dietetics, 2023. 80(2): p. 143-153.
  7. Referans7 Kalkan, I., et al., Are Nutrition Literacy and Sustainable Dietary Habits Associated with Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes Developmental Risks? Journal of the American Nutrition Association, 2024: p. 1-13.
  8. Referans8 World Health Organization (WHO), Nutrition in universal health coverage. 2019, World Health Organization.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Clinical Sciences (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

April 30, 2026

Submission Date

June 11, 2025

Acceptance Date

April 7, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 18 Number: 1

APA
Öner, N., Durmuş, H., Borlu, A., Yaşar Fırat, Y., & Gözler, A. (2026). Integrated sustainability awareness in future dietitians: Impact of the Sustainable Nutrition Course. Maltepe Tıp Dergisi, 18(1), 21-28. https://doi.org/10.35514/mtd.2026.140
AMA
1.Öner N, Durmuş H, Borlu A, Yaşar Fırat Y, Gözler A. Integrated sustainability awareness in future dietitians: Impact of the Sustainable Nutrition Course. Maltepe tıp derg. 2026;18(1):21-28. doi:10.35514/mtd.2026.140
Chicago
Öner, Neslihan, Hasan Durmuş, Arda Borlu, Yağmur Yaşar Fırat, and Alpaslan Gözler. 2026. “Integrated Sustainability Awareness in Future Dietitians: Impact of the Sustainable Nutrition Course”. Maltepe Tıp Dergisi 18 (1): 21-28. https://doi.org/10.35514/mtd.2026.140.
EndNote
Öner N, Durmuş H, Borlu A, Yaşar Fırat Y, Gözler A (April 1, 2026) Integrated sustainability awareness in future dietitians: Impact of the Sustainable Nutrition Course. Maltepe Tıp Dergisi 18 1 21–28.
IEEE
[1]N. Öner, H. Durmuş, A. Borlu, Y. Yaşar Fırat, and A. Gözler, “Integrated sustainability awareness in future dietitians: Impact of the Sustainable Nutrition Course”, Maltepe tıp derg., vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 21–28, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.35514/mtd.2026.140.
ISNAD
Öner, Neslihan - Durmuş, Hasan - Borlu, Arda - Yaşar Fırat, Yağmur - Gözler, Alpaslan. “Integrated Sustainability Awareness in Future Dietitians: Impact of the Sustainable Nutrition Course”. Maltepe Tıp Dergisi 18/1 (April 1, 2026): 21-28. https://doi.org/10.35514/mtd.2026.140.
JAMA
1.Öner N, Durmuş H, Borlu A, Yaşar Fırat Y, Gözler A. Integrated sustainability awareness in future dietitians: Impact of the Sustainable Nutrition Course. Maltepe tıp derg. 2026;18:21–28.
MLA
Öner, Neslihan, et al. “Integrated Sustainability Awareness in Future Dietitians: Impact of the Sustainable Nutrition Course”. Maltepe Tıp Dergisi, vol. 18, no. 1, Apr. 2026, pp. 21-28, doi:10.35514/mtd.2026.140.
Vancouver
1.Neslihan Öner, Hasan Durmuş, Arda Borlu, Yağmur Yaşar Fırat, Alpaslan Gözler. Integrated sustainability awareness in future dietitians: Impact of the Sustainable Nutrition Course. Maltepe tıp derg. 2026 Apr. 1;18(1):21-8. doi:10.35514/mtd.2026.140