Sustainable consumption in Indonesia: Health awareness, lifestyle, and trust among Gen Z and Millennials

Abstract

This study explores the pathways to sustainable consumption among Gen Z and Millennials in Indonesia, focusing on the roles of health awareness, lifestyle behavior, and trust. Sustainable consumption in this context refers to conscientious choices made by individuals to minimize negative impacts on the environment and society while supporting personal health and well-being. A total of 210 respondents, representing consumers aged 18 to 42, who had purchased from healthy food restaurants in Jakarta, participated in the survey. This age range was chosen to encompass both Generation Z and Millennials, with a focus on individuals who are likely to be financially independent and capable of purchasing food for themselves. This sample was chosen to capture insights from key demographics known for their influence on consumption patterns and environmental awareness. Utilizing structural equation modeling, the analysis reveals that health awareness and lifestyle behavior significantly influence healthy food choices and sustainable consumption patterns. The direct path coefficient from lifestyle behavior to sustainable consumption (β = 0.394) surpassed that of health awareness (β = 0.134), underscoring the importance of lifestyle factors in driving sustainable consumption behaviors. Furthermore, trust emerged as a significant mediator between these factors and sustainable consumption. Health awareness and lifestyle behavior explained 65.3% of the variance in healthy food choices and influenced consumer trust by 39.7%. Additionally, lifestyle behavior and trust accounted for 61.2% of the variance in sustainable consumption. These findings highlight the critical role of lifestyle choices and trust-building efforts in fostering sustainable consumption behaviors among Gen Z and Millennials in Indonesia.