LEVEL OF CONCERN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, FOOD SECURITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY ABOUT TO WILLINGNESS TO EAT FOOD CONTAINING INSECTS: A SURVEY AMONG THE GENERATION Z IN POLAND.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine whether the lifestyles of young consumers (students) in Poland can influence their attitudes towards foods containing edible insects. Design/methodology/approach: The empirical survey was conducted via an online platform (CAWI) among 749 students in Poland in 2023. Findings: Most lifestyle determinants (commitment to learning, attention to the nutritional value of food, valuing the culinary traditions of the region of origin, health consciousness and physical activity) correlated positively with environmental concern in terms of willingness to eat food containing edible insects. Research limitations/implications: The research has certain limitations. Despite the large size of the study group, the results obtained are not representative and cannot be generalised to the Z population in Poland. Practical implications: The results of this study may prove beneficial in the development of strategies to enhance food security, particularly in the context of environmental protection. Social implications: The study contributes to the existing body of knowledge regarding the attitudes of young adults, commonly referred to as Generation Z, towards environmental care, food security concerns, and environmental sustainability. In doing so, it considers the influence of lifestyle variables. Originality/value: An investigation into the influence of younger consumers' lifestyles on their attitudes towards environmental care, food security concerns and environmental sustainability is of significant importance in the context of the future of entomophagy in Poland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]