A STUDY OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' SEAFOOD CONSUMPTION BEHAVIOR: SOCIO- ECONOMIC FACTORS AND CONSUMPTION TRENDS
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the seafood consumption behaviors of university students and the factors influencing these behaviors. The study was conducted with 118 students, and the relationships between consumption frequency, reasons for consumption, reasons for non-consumption, purchasing preferences, and demographic variables were analyzed. The findings revealed that students generally consumed seafood rarely or only 1–2 times per month. Taste and freshness were identified as the primary motivations for seafood consumption, while health-related factors played a secondary role. Among the reasons for not consuming seafood, price was found to be the most significant barrier, followed by dislike of seafood and concerns related to its odor. Chi-square analysis indicated that seafood consumption behaviors were significantly associated with gender and place of residence, whereas age showed more limited associations. Furthermore, despite relatively high self-reported nutritional awareness, consumption frequency remained notably low, suggesting a discrepancy between nutritional awareness and actual consumption behavior. Overall, the findings suggest that seafood consumption among university students is associated with multiple factors, particularly economic constraints, sensory perceptions, and accessibility.
Keywords
- Seafood consumption
- nutritional awareness
- consumption behavior
- university students
- consumption barriers
- dietary habits
Supporting Institution
Ethical Statement
References
- Alageyik, M., Çiftçi, N., & Ayas, D. (2020). Seafood consumption preferences of university students and factors affecting preferences: The case of Mersin University. Acta Natura et Scientia, 1(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.29329/actanatsci.2020.313.6
- Almeida, C., Karadzic, V., & Vaz, S. (2015). The seafood market in Portugal: Driving forces and consequences. Marine Policy, 61, 87–94. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2015.07.012
- Arslan, M., & İzci, L. (2016). Determination of seafood consumption habits in Antalya province. Eğirdir Fisheries Faculty Journal, 12(1), 75–85.
- Calder, P. C. (2013). Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammatory processes. Nutrients, 5(3), 794–887. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu5030794
- FAO. (2022). The state of world fisheries and aquaculture 2022. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. https://www.fao.org
- FAO. (2024). The state of world fisheries and aquaculture 2024: Blue transformation in action. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. https://www.fao.org
- Gómez-Pinilla, F. (2008). Brain foods: The effects of nutrients on brain function. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 9(7), 568–578. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn2421
- Grimsrud, K., McCluskey, J. J., Loureiro, M. L., & Wahl, T. I. (2013). Consumer demand for farmed and wild fish: A Norwegian case study. Marine Resource Economics, 28(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.5950/0738-1360-28.1.1
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Food Sciences (Other)
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Early Pub Date
October 7, 2026
Publication Date
October 13, 2026
Submission Date
August 23, 2026
Acceptance Date
September 30, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 51 Number: 5