The reduction of food waste is an urgent global political concern. Numerous studies support the idea that households are the main contributors to food waste along the food supply chain, with approximately half of the edible food discarded globally. This situation is even more severe in emerging countries. Consequently, the present study aims to examine the food waste behavior of consumers in an emerging country and understand how distinct consumer profiles and sociodemographic characteristics influence food waste. In this context, a questionnaire was developed and a survey was conducted in Colombia, encompassing a representative sample of 720 participants. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the impact of consumers' attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control on their intention to reduce food waste. Subsequently, the main drivers of food waste behaviors were identified. The results underscored that the reduction of food waste is predominantly influenced by perceived behavioral control, followed by attitudes, and finally by subjective norms. Additionally, factors such as responsibility for food purchasing and culinary activities at home, along with sociodemographic variables, demonstrated that the intention to reduce food waste largely translates into concrete behavioral outcomes.

Lizcano‑Prada J., Mesías F.J., Lami O., Sama‑Berrocal C., Maestre‑Matos M. (en prensa). Gestión sostenible de los alimentos. Una aplicación de la Teoría del Comportamiento Planificado en el contexto de un país emergente: Colombia. ITEA‑Información Técnica Económica Agraria. Vol. xx: YY-YY. https://doi.org/10.12706/itea.2024.013