The Relationship Between Food Insecurity and Food Waste Prevention Motivation Among Young Adults Aged 18-25: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between food insecurity and food waste prevention motivation among young adults aged 18-25. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 163 young adults aged 18-25 living in Türkiye. Data were collected using a sociodemographic information form, the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES), and the Food Waste Prevention Motivation Scale (FWPMS). Hierarchical linear regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of food waste prevention motivation. Results: The mean age of the participants was 21.5 ± 2.40 years, and 31.3% were found to be food insecure. The total FWPMS score was statistically significantly higher in males (86.3 ± 9.39) compared to females (83.3 ± 8.78) (p = 0.035). Regression analysis revealed that male gender (β = 0.19), living arrangement (β = 0.20), and food insecurity (β = -0.22) significantly predicted food waste prevention motivation (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The study findings indicate that as food insecurity increases among young adults, the motivation to prevent food waste decreases. Male gender and living arrangement were also found to be significant factors associated with motivation.

Keywords

• Food insecurity
• food waste
• motivation
• young adults

18-25 Yaş Arası Genç Yetişkinlerde Besin Güvencesizliği ile Besin İsrafını Önlemeye Yönelik Motivasyon Arasındaki İlişki: Kesitsel Bir Çalışma

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı, 18-25 yaş aralığındaki genç yetişkinlerde besin güvencesizliği ile besin israfını önlemeye yönelik motivasyon arasındaki ilişkiyi incelemektir. Gereç ve Yöntem: Bu kesitsel çalışma, Türkiye'de yaşayan 18-25 yaş arası 163 genç yetişkin ile yürütülmüştür. Veriler, sosyodemografik bilgi formu, Besin Güvencesizliği Deneyim Ölçeği (BGDÖ) ve Gıda İsrafı Önleme Motivasyonu Ölçeği (GİÖMÖ) kullanılarak toplanmıştır. Besin israfını önleme motivasyonunun yordayıcılarını belirlemek için hiyerarşik doğrusal regresyon analizi kullanılmıştır. Bulgular: Katılımcıların yaş ortalaması 21,5 ± 2,40 yıl olup, %31,3’ü besin güvencesiz olarak bulunmuştur. GİÖMÖ toplam puanı erkeklerde (86,3 ± 9,39) kadınlara (83,3 ± 8,78) kıyasla istatistiksel olarak anlamlı düzeyde daha yüksek saptanmıştır (p = 0,035). Regresyon analizi sonucunda, erkek cinsiyet (β = 0,19), yaşam düzeni (β = 0,20) ve besin güvencesizliği düzeyinin (β = -0,22) besin israfını önleme motivasyonunu anlamlı düzeyde yordadığı belirlenmiştir (p < 0,05). Sonuç: Çalışmanın bulguları, genç yetişkinlerde besin güvencesizliği arttıkça besin israfını önleme motivasyonunun azaldığını göstermektedir. Erkek cinsiyet ve yaşam düzeni de motivasyonla ilişkili önemli faktörler olarak bulunmuştur.

Keywords

• Besin güvencesizliği
• besin israfı
• motivasyon
• genç yetişkinler

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