Research Article

Evaluation of Sustainable Food Literacy, Dietary Behaviors, and Food Preferences among Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

Volume: 11 Number: 3 September 30, 2026
TR EN

Evaluation of Sustainable Food Literacy, Dietary Behaviors, and Food Preferences among Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to examine the potential influence of sustainable food literacy on adults’ dietary behaviors and food preferences. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 400 adults (172 males, 228 females), aged 18–65, residing in Istanbul. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, self-reported anthropometrics, dietary behaviors, food preferences, and physical activity. The Sustainable Food Literacy Scale (SFLS) was used to evaluate sustainability-related food literacy. Results: Significant gender-based differences were observed across several domains of the SFLS, with women reporting higher scores in Sustainable Food Knowledge-2 (SFK-2) (5.75 vs. 5.5; p<0.001), Cooking and Kitchen Skills (CKS) (6.0 vs. 5.17; p<0.001), Attitudes (ATT) (5.0 vs. 4.67; p<0.001), and Intentions for Action, and Action Strategies (AIS) (4.71 vs. 4.28; p<0.001), Total Sustainable Food Knowledge (SFK-T) (4.8 vs. 4.5; p=0.005) and the overall SFLS score (132.0 vs. 121.0; p<0.001). Individuals following a specific diet showed higher scores in SFK-2 (6.0 vs. 5.5; p=0.019), CKS (6.16 vs. 5.66; p=0.002), AIS (5.0 vs. 4.57; p=0.015), and total SFLS (138.0 vs. 125.0; p=0.009). Regular snack consumers demonstrated significantly higher scores in SFK-2 (6.0 vs. 5.5; p=0.035) and SFLS total (132.5 vs. 124.0; p=0.012). Prior nutrition education was associated with increased scores in Sustainable Food Knowledge-1 (SFK-1) (4.66 vs. 4.0; p<0.001), SFK-2 (6.0 vs. 5.5; p=0.002), SFK-T (5.0 vs. 4.6; p<0.001), and total SFLS (131.0 vs. 125.0; p=0.011), indicating a positive relationship between nutrition education and sustainable food literacy. Conclusion: Food literacy scores differed significantly by gender, engagement in dietary practices, snack consumption, and prior nutrition education. These findings underscore the importance of enhancing food literacy to promote ecologically responsible dietary behaviors and contribute to broader sustainability goals.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

TÜBİTAK

Project Number

1919B012325215

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Ethics Committee for Social and Human Sciences at Istanbul Medeniyet University (Approval No: 2024/1, dated January 23, 2024). Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Thanks

This study was funded by TÜBİTAK BİDEB 2209-A – Research Project Support Programme for Undergraduate Students. 2023/2nd Term (Application No: 1919B012325215).

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Nutritional Science

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

September 30, 2026

Submission Date

August 5, 2025

Acceptance Date

October 12, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 11 Number: 3

APA
Uğur, H., Dönmez-Gürbüz, B., Evci-Güney, S. A., Öztürk, Y., Dikici, B., & Fazlılar, N. (2026). Evaluation of Sustainable Food Literacy, Dietary Behaviors, and Food Preferences among Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study. İzmir Katip Çelebi Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Dergisi, 11(3), 599-612. https://doi.org/10.61399/ikcusbfd.1758406
AMA
1.Uğur H, Dönmez-Gürbüz B, Evci-Güney SA, Öztürk Y, Dikici B, Fazlılar N. Evaluation of Sustainable Food Literacy, Dietary Behaviors, and Food Preferences among Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study. İKÇÜSBFD. 2026;11(3):599-612. doi:10.61399/ikcusbfd.1758406
Chicago
Uğur, Halime, Büşra Dönmez-Gürbüz, Sakine Asya Evci-Güney, Yasemin Öztürk, Büşra Dikici, and Nisa Fazlılar. 2026. “Evaluation of Sustainable Food Literacy, Dietary Behaviors, and Food Preferences Among Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study”. İzmir Katip Çelebi Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Dergisi 11 (3): 599-612. https://doi.org/10.61399/ikcusbfd.1758406.
EndNote
Uğur H, Dönmez-Gürbüz B, Evci-Güney SA, Öztürk Y, Dikici B, Fazlılar N (September 1, 2026) Evaluation of Sustainable Food Literacy, Dietary Behaviors, and Food Preferences among Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study. İzmir Katip Çelebi Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Dergisi 11 3 599–612.
IEEE
[1]H. Uğur, B. Dönmez-Gürbüz, S. A. Evci-Güney, Y. Öztürk, B. Dikici, and N. Fazlılar, “Evaluation of Sustainable Food Literacy, Dietary Behaviors, and Food Preferences among Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study”, İKÇÜSBFD, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 599–612, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.61399/ikcusbfd.1758406.
ISNAD
Uğur, Halime - Dönmez-Gürbüz, Büşra - Evci-Güney, Sakine Asya - Öztürk, Yasemin - Dikici, Büşra - Fazlılar, Nisa. “Evaluation of Sustainable Food Literacy, Dietary Behaviors, and Food Preferences Among Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study”. İzmir Katip Çelebi Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Dergisi 11/3 (September 1, 2026): 599-612. https://doi.org/10.61399/ikcusbfd.1758406.
JAMA
1.Uğur H, Dönmez-Gürbüz B, Evci-Güney SA, Öztürk Y, Dikici B, Fazlılar N. Evaluation of Sustainable Food Literacy, Dietary Behaviors, and Food Preferences among Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study. İKÇÜSBFD. 2026;11:599–612.
MLA
Uğur, Halime, et al. “Evaluation of Sustainable Food Literacy, Dietary Behaviors, and Food Preferences Among Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study”. İzmir Katip Çelebi Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 11, no. 3, Sept. 2026, pp. 599-12, doi:10.61399/ikcusbfd.1758406.
Vancouver
1.Halime Uğur, Büşra Dönmez-Gürbüz, Sakine Asya Evci-Güney, Yasemin Öztürk, Büşra Dikici, Nisa Fazlılar. Evaluation of Sustainable Food Literacy, Dietary Behaviors, and Food Preferences among Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study. İKÇÜSBFD. 2026 Sep. 1;11(3):599-612. doi:10.61399/ikcusbfd.1758406



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