Educational and Socio-Economic Determinants of Plant-Based Diet in Romania: A Preliminary Analysis

Abstract

In the context of the current socio-economic and technological transformations, plant-based diets have gained an increasing importance. The present comparative study, conducted on a sample of 70 participants (35 vegans and 35 omnivores), investigated the influence of education level and socio-economic conditions on the adoption of a plant-based diet in Romania. Statistical analysis, based on the Pearson correlation coefficient and logistic regression, did not reveal significant associations between the studied variables, highlighting the need for further exploration of cultural and ideological factors. Limitations of the study, including the small sample size, are acknowledged and this preliminary analysis opens directions for future research. Soon, emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) will provide new tools for analyzing nutritional behaviours and personalizing dietary recommendations.