Exploring the Interrelationships Between Dietary Patterns, Carbon Footprint, and Metabolic Health Among Adults Across Rural and Urban Settings of Maharashtra

This study explores links between dietary patterns, carbon footprint, and metabolic health in adults from rural and urban Maharashtra. Objectives are to compare dietary carbon footprint and metabolic health between groups, assess associations between footprint and metabolic indices, develop an e-training module on sustainable diets, and evaluate its impact on knowledge, attitudes, practices, and footprint.

The study has two components: a cross-sectional survey and a pilot intervention. The baseline survey will include 850 adults aged 20–40 years (425 rural, 425 urban) selected randomly. Data will include demographics, lifestyle, anthropometry, blood parameters, and diet assessed through food frequency questionnaire and 24-hour recall. Dietary carbon footprint will be estimated using reported intake and emission factors, expressed in kg CO2e. Statistical analysis in SPSS will compare rural and urban groups and test associations using correlations, regression, and significance at p<0.05.

In the pilot intervention, 100 participants with high dietary carbon footprint will be randomized into intervention (50) and control groups (50). The intervention will consist of an online e-learning module developed in two parts: (1) awareness and concepts of sustainable diets and (2) practical strategies to reduce carbon footprint, with content adapted from reliable sources and reviewed by experts. Delivered through multimedia formats, the module aims to enhance knowledge and promote sustainable dietary practices, while the control group will receive a generic leaflet. Pre- and post-assessments will measure changes in dietary behaviour and footprint. Data will be analyzed using paired and independent tests, with ANCOVA to adjust for baseline.

This study aims to provide evidence to guide sustainable diet promotion for health and climate benefits.