Food Waste Management Among University Students in India: A Quantitative Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices

Sonal Devesh; Baranidharan Subburayan; B. K. Mallika; Chippy Mohan; H. Dharmendra

doi:10.57159/jcmm.5.4.26777

Authors

Sonal Devesh School of Business and Management, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2318-8670
Baranidharan Subburayan School of Management, Presidency University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7780-4045
B. K. Mallika School of Business and Management, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0733-8924
Chippy Mohan School of Business and Management, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8589-4944
H. Dharmendra School of Finance, Commerce and Accountancy, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8141-0440

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.57159/jcmm.5.4.26777

Keywords:

Food Waste Management, Knowledge-Attitude-Practice, University Students, India, Intention-Behavior Gap, Sustainability Education

Abstract

Food waste is a pressing sustainability challenge, yet its behavioral determinants in higher education remain poorly understood in India. This study examines the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of South Indian university students toward food waste management. A quantitative cross-sectional design was adopted. Of 1,200 questionnaires distributed through convenience sampling at affiliated South Indian universities, 832 usable responses were retained after data cleaning, an effective response rate of 69.33%. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square goodness-of-fit tests, independent samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression. Students reported moderate awareness and generally positive attitudes, but neither translated consistently into waste-reducing behavior. Associations among the three KAP dimensions were weak: knowledge and attitude were negatively correlated (r = -0.091, p < 0.01), while knowledge and practice (r = -0.015) and attitude and practice (r = 0.014) were not significant. In the regression model, knowledge (beta = 0.130, p < 0.001) and practice (beta = 0.201, p < 0.001) were significant positive predictors of food waste behavior, whereas attitude was not (beta = 0.012, p = 0.727). The model was significant, F(3, 828) = 16.472, p < 0.001, but explained only 5.6% of the variance in food waste behavior (R2 = 0.056, adjusted R2 = 0.053). Gender, academic year, and household income were each associated with one or more KAP dimensions. The findings indicate that awareness alone will not reduce food waste in higher education institutions, and that behavioral nudges, practical skills, structural support, and curriculum-embedded sustainability education are also required, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 2.

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