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Beneath the surface: food-related values, beliefs, and emotions of Estonian adolescents, and sustainable food transformation in Estonian schools

Shlykova, Aleksandra LU (2025) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM02 20251
LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
Abstract
Practical and structural changes alone are not enough to achieve sustainable transformation of food systems because they are influenced by people’s underlying inner dimensions. Using data from quantitative student surveys and semi-structured interviews with school workers, this study applies three spheres of transformation framework and explores what place Estonian adolescents’ inner dimensions (values, beliefs, and emotions) have in the school food system in Estonia. Findings show that students and their personal perspectives do not play an active role in the school food system. “Environmental” characteristics of sustainable food are neglected in some of the students’ food related values, beliefs, and emotions, as well as in school food... (More)
Practical and structural changes alone are not enough to achieve sustainable transformation of food systems because they are influenced by people’s underlying inner dimensions. Using data from quantitative student surveys and semi-structured interviews with school workers, this study applies three spheres of transformation framework and explores what place Estonian adolescents’ inner dimensions (values, beliefs, and emotions) have in the school food system in Estonia. Findings show that students and their personal perspectives do not play an active role in the school food system. “Environmental” characteristics of sustainable food are neglected in some of the students’ food related values, beliefs, and emotions, as well as in school food systems and practices. Empowering students, using their inner dimensions as leverage points, creating connections between food and sustainability topics at schools in theory and practice, and integrating transformative food-related sustainability initiatives could facilitate and accelerate sustainable food transformation in Estonia. (Less)
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author
Shlykova, Aleksandra LU
supervisor
organization
course
MESM02 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
food system, education, dietary shift, inner dimensions, Sustainability Science
publication/series
Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
report number
2025:029
language
English
id
9200620
date added to LUP
2025-06-17 08:59:17
date last changed
2025-06-18 09:00:46
@misc{9200620,
  abstract     = {{Practical and structural changes alone are not enough to achieve sustainable transformation of food systems because they are influenced by people’s underlying inner dimensions. Using data from quantitative student surveys and semi-structured interviews with school workers, this study applies three spheres of transformation framework and explores what place Estonian adolescents’ inner dimensions (values, beliefs, and emotions) have in the school food system in Estonia. Findings show that students and their personal perspectives do not play an active role in the school food system. “Environmental” characteristics of sustainable food are neglected in some of the students’ food related values, beliefs, and emotions, as well as in school food systems and practices. Empowering students, using their inner dimensions as leverage points, creating connections between food and sustainability topics at schools in theory and practice, and integrating transformative food-related sustainability initiatives could facilitate and accelerate sustainable food transformation in Estonia.}},
  author       = {{Shlykova, Aleksandra}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}},
  title        = {{Beneath the surface: food-related values, beliefs, and emotions of Estonian adolescents, and sustainable food transformation in Estonian schools}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}