The Relationship Between Sustainable Food Literacy, Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Body Mass Index in Young Adults

Year 2025, Volume: 14 Issue: 3, 920 - 931, 25.09.2025

Elif Şeyma Şahan , Tuğçe Aytulu

https://doi.org/10.37989/gumussagbil.1760684

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between sustainable food literacy, ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption, and body mass index (BMI) among young adults.
A total of 400 individuals aged between 18 and 35 years were assessed in terms of their sustainable food literacy levels, frequency of ultra-processed food consumption, and obesity status. Data were collected through an online survey. Participants’ demographic information was recorded, sustainable food literacy was measured using the Sustainable Food Literacy Scale (SFL Scale), and UPF consumption was determined via a questionnaire based on the NOVA classification. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 27.0.
The mean BMI of the participants was 23.93±4.17 kg/m², and the mean score on the Sustainable Food Literacy Scale was 135.79±22.54. These findings indicate a high level of sustainable food literacy among the participants. A statistically significant negative relationship was observed between sustainable food literacy and UPF consumption (p<0.05), suggesting that higher literacy levels are associated with lower UPF intake. However, no statistically significant difference was found in sustainable food literacy levels across different BMI groups (p>0.05).
An increase in sustainable food literacy among young adults may contribute to a reduction in ultra-processed food consumption.

Keywords

Sustainable food literacy , Ultra-processed foods , Nutrition , Young adults

Genç Erişkinlerde Sürdürülebilir Gıda Okuryazarlığı, Ultra İşlenmiş Gıda Tüketimi ve Beden Kütle İndeksi İlişkisi

Abstract

Genç erişkinlerde sürdürülebilir gıda okuryazarlığı, ultra işlenmiş gıda tüketimi ve beden kütle indeksi (BKİ) arasındaki ilişkinin değerlendirilmesidir.
Bu çalışmada, 18–35 yaş aralığında 400 birey, SGO düzeyleri, ultra işlenmiş gıda tüketim sıklıkları ve obezite durumları açısından değerlendirilmiştir. Veriler, çevrimiçi anket yöntemiyle toplanmıştır. Katılımcıların demografik bilgileri alınmış, sürdürülebilir gıda okuryazarlığı ölçeği (SGOÖ) ile değerlendirilmiş ve ultra işlenmiş gıda tüketimi NOVA sınıflandırmasına göre oluşturulan anketle belirlenmiştir. Elde edilen veriler SPSS 27.0 programında analiz edilmiştir.
Bireylerin BKİ ortalamalarının 23,93±4,17 kg/m², sürdürülebilir gıda okuryazarlık ortalamalarının 135,79±22,54 olduğu görülmüştür. Buna göre bireylerin sürdürülebilir gıda okuryazarlık düzeyleri yüksektir. Bireylerin sürdürülebilir gıda okuryazarlık düzeyleri arttıkça ultra işlenmiş gıda (UİG) tüketimlerinin azaldığı görülmüştür (p<0,05). BKİ gruplarına göre sürdürülebilir gıda okuryazarlık düzeyleri arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir fark gösterilememiştir (p>0,05).
Genç erişkinlerde sürdürülebilir gıda okuryazarlık düzeyinin artması ultra işlenmiş gıda tüketimini azaltabilir.

Keywords

Sürdürülebilir gıda okuryazarlığı , Ultra işlenmiş gıdalar , Beslenme , Genç erişkinler

Ethical Statement

Araştırma, Üsküdar Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Enstitüsü Etik Kurulu tarafından 27 Aralık 2023 tarihli ve 12 No’lu toplantı kararı ile onaylanmıştır.

Thanks

Bu çalışma, Elif Şeyma Şahan’ın “18–35 yaş arası bireylerin sürdürülebilir gıda okuryazarlığı ile ultra işlenmiş gıda tüketimi ve obezitenin değerlendirilmesi” adlı yüksek lisans tezinden üretilmiştir.

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