Artificial intelligence attitudes in relation to Mediterranean diet adherence and environmental footprints: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between attitudes towards artificial intelligence and adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD), carbon footprint awareness and environmental footprint awareness among adults. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Ankara, Turkey, using snowball sampling and an online questionnaire. The study included 1350 adults aged 18–65 years. Data were collected through a questionnaire containing demographic information, self-report anthropometric measurements, and validated scales. Artificial Intelligence Attitude Scale, Ecological Footprint Awareness Scale, Carbon Footprint Awareness Scale, and Mediterranean Diet Adherence Scale (MEDAS) were used in the study. Of the participants, 76.7% were female and 23.3% were male. Participants with adequate MD adherence (MEDAS ≥ 7) were older, had higher BMI, and demonstrated higher ecological and carbon footprint awareness than those with lower adherence. AIAS-4 scores were similar between the MD adherence groups despite a weak negative correlation between AI attitudes and MEDAS scores (rho = −0.057, p = 0.037). AI attitudes were positively correlated with ecological (rho = 0.091, p < 0.001) and carbon footprint awareness (rho= 0.058, p = 0.032). In the multivariable linear regression model, ecological footprint awareness was independently associated with age (B = 0.229, p < 0.001), AIAS-4 (B = 1.151, p < 0.001), carbon footprint awareness (B = 1.331, p < 0.001), and male gender (B = − 4.186, p = 0.002), whereas MD adherence, education level, and AI use frequency were not significant predictors. The model explained 31.0% of the variance in ecological footprint awareness (R² = 0.310, p < 0.001). Positive attitudes toward artificial intelligence were associated with greater ecological and carbon footprint awareness but with slightly lower adherence to the Mediterranean diet. In contrast, greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet was positively associated with environmental footprint awareness. Carbon footprint awareness emerged as the strongest independent predictor of ecological footprint awareness. These findings provide preliminary evidence that attitudes toward artificial intelligence, dietary behavior, and environmental sustainability awareness are interrelated, although the observed associations were generally small and should be interpreted cautiously.