Yetişkin Bireylerde Sürdürülebilir Besin Seçimi ve Akdeniz Diyetine Uyumun Değerlendirilmesi

Abstract

This study was planned and conducted to determine the relationship between sustainable food choices and adherence to the Mediterranean diet..The Turkish validity and reliability of the Sustainable Food Choice Questionnaire (SUS-FCQ) used in the study was conducted. In addition, the factors affecting the food choices of individuals were also examined. The research was conducted online among literate individuals living in Turkey with a mean age of 32.16±8.99 years. Considering the validity and reliability analyzes of the SUS-FCQ, it was found to be very highly reliable with a Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient of 0.961 and its construct validity was ensured (RMSEA=0.080; GFI=0.904; AGFI=0.852; CFI=0.972; χ2=285.174). Depending on all these results, the validity and reliability of SUS-FCQ is acceptable and applicable to Turkish. It was determined that the food choices of the individuals included in the study were mostly affected by sensory appeal, natural content and convenience, respectively; it was determined that ethical concern had the least effect (p<0.05). When the TFEQ results of the individuals were examined, the conscious restraint sub- dimension had the highest score and emotional eating had the lowest score (p<0.05). Individuals' SUS-FCQ score was 89.35±21.8, overall sustainability sub-dimension score was 74.03±18.82, locality and seasonality sub-dimension score was 15.33±4.9. A statistically significant difference was found between SUS-FCQ scores according to BMI classification and gender (p<0.05). SUS-FCQ scores increased with the increase in BMI values (p<0.05). The SUS-FCQ scores of women were higher than the scores of men (p<0.05). Statistically significant and positive correlations were determined between individuals' SUS-FCQ and general sustainable sub-dimension scores and FCQ health, natural content and ethical concern sub-dimension scores (p<0.05). A statistically significant and positive correlation was found between SUS-FCQ and MEDAS scores (p<0.05). In addition, there was a statistically significant and positive correlation between the SUS-FCQ sub-dimensions of general sustainability and local and seasonality and MEDAS (p<0.05). While statistically significant and positive correlations were determined between individuals' MEDAS scores and consumption of milk and dairy products, fruit and vegetables, statistically significant and negative correlations were determined between consumption of fatty/sweet foods (p<0.05). According to the research results, SUS-FCQ is a questionnaire that can be used to investigate the factors underlying sustainable food choices in more detail. Sustainable food choices are influenced by factors such as individuals' gender, BMI, compliance with the Mediterranean diet, and giving importance to health, ethics and natural content while choosing their food. In addition, the nutritional habits of individuals cause differences in sustainable food choices. Scientific studies are needed towards the adoption of the Mediterranean diet to encourage sustainable food choices.