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Food Wastage Attitudes among the United Arab Emirates Population: The Role of Social Media

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  • Tareq M. Osaili

    (Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates
    Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan
    Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates)

  • Reyad S. Obaid

    (Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates
    Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates)

  • Russul Alqutub

    (Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates)

  • Rawya Akkila

    (Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates)

  • Ala Habil

    (Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates)

  • Ahlam Dawoud

    (Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates)

  • Serin Duhair

    (Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates)

  • Fayeza Hasan

    (Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates)

  • Mona Hashim

    (Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates
    Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates)

  • Leila Cheikh Ismail

    (Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates
    Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates)

  • Anas A. Al-Nabulsi

    (Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan)

  • Sadi Taha

    (School of Business Administration, Al Dar University College, Dubai P.O. Box 35529, United Arab Emirates)

Abstract

The objective of this study is to evaluate food wastage attitudes and the impact of social media among the United Arab Emirates (UAE) population. A questionnaire was distributed via social network applications ( n = 525). The majority of the respondents were females (84%) and social media users (99%). Most of the respondents were well aware of the problem of food wastage (96%). Half of the respondents (53.7 and 48.8%) reported taking some form of action on an ‘often’ basis to reduce food wastage, and buying food as per their needs, respectively. Two-thirds (66.7%) of the respondents stated that their family did not throw away anything from their last meal. A majority (82.3%) felt uncomfortable upon discarding food. A mixed response was observed in terms of food wastage and social media usage. On one hand, using social media was significantly ( p < 0.05) associated with measuring the exact quantity of ingredients prior to preparation, lower overall family wastage, eating leftovers, and composting. On the other hand, less-frequent social media users significantly ( p < 0.05) had fewer leftovers, checked expiry dates, were more serious about food wastage, and planned to minimize it. Social media should be used with prudence as it may not have a very significant impact on food wastage reduction.

Suggested Citation

  • Tareq M. Osaili & Reyad S. Obaid & Russul Alqutub & Rawya Akkila & Ala Habil & Ahlam Dawoud & Serin Duhair & Fayeza Hasan & Mona Hashim & Leila Cheikh Ismail & Anas A. Al-Nabulsi & Sadi Taha, 2022. "Food Wastage Attitudes among the United Arab Emirates Population: The Role of Social Media," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-13, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:3:p:1870-:d:743423
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sarra Jribi & Hanen Ben Ismail & Darine Doggui & Hajer Debbabi, 2020. "COVID-19 virus outbreak lockdown: What impacts on household food wastage?," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 22(5), pages 3939-3955, June.
    2. Radzymińska, Monika & Jakubowska, Dominika & Staniewska, Katarzyna, 2016. "Consumer Attitude And Behaviour Towards Food Waste," Journal of Agribusiness and Rural Development, University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland, vol. 39(01).
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