Food Literacy, Sustainable Eating Behaviors, and Healthy Eating Index in University Students

Arife Macit; Nagihan Kırcalı Haznedar; Akgün Yeşiltepe

doi:10.53424/balikesirsbd.1905396

Food Literacy, Sustainable Eating Behaviors, and Healthy Eating Index in University Students

Abstract

Food Literacy, Sustainable Eating Behaviors, and Healthy Eating Index in University Students ABSTRACT Objective: This study aims to examine the relationships between food literacy, sustainable and healthy eating behaviors, and Healthy Eating Index (HEI) scores among university students. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 301 volunteer university students using a structured questionnaire which included questions about general information, a sustainable and healthy eating behaviors scale (SHEB), a food literacy scale (FOODLIT), and a 24-hour recall. HEI (2015) scores were calculated for all participants using 24-hour data. The statistical analysis of the data was performed using the JASP and SPSS (version 26.0) software. Results: The mean SHEB, FOODLIT, and HEI scores of the participants were 2.93±0.82, 33.13±12.55, and 41.22±11.44, respectively. A positive and significant relationship was found between FOODLIT and SHEB scores (r=0.418; p<0.05), and FOODLIT scores were found to explain 17.5% of the variance in SHEB scores (R2=0.175). In dimension analyses, environmentally safe and selection-planning skills stood out as variables associated with HEI scores, while no significant relationship was found between HEI scores and other variables. Conclusion: In conclusion, it is considered that food literacy is associated with sustainable eating behaviors, but this relationship may not directly reflect diet quality. Keywords: Nutrition, Food literacy, Sustainable and healthy eating behaviors, Healthy Eating Index

Keywords

Ethical Statement

This research was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and received ethical approval from the Munzur University Non-Interventional Research Ethics Committee (2024/10-18).

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Nutritional Science, Public Health Nutrition

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Arife Macit ^*
0000-0002-3717-2725
Türkiye

Nagihan Kırcalı Haznedar
0000-0002-2683-7971
Türkiye

Akgün Yeşiltepe
0000-0002-4720-3118
Türkiye

Publication Date

June 30, 2026

Submission Date

March 8, 2026

Acceptance Date

May 7, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 15 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.53424/balikesirsbd.1905396

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA26CY22DL

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Macit, A., Kırcalı Haznedar, N., & Yeşiltepe, A. (2026). Food Literacy, Sustainable Eating Behaviors, and Healthy Eating Index in University Students. Balıkesir Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 15(2), 410-417. https://doi.org/10.53424/balikesirsbd.1905396

AMA

1.Macit A, Kırcalı Haznedar N, Yeşiltepe A. Food Literacy, Sustainable Eating Behaviors, and Healthy Eating Index in University Students. BAUN Health Sci J. 2026;15(2):410-417. doi:10.53424/balikesirsbd.1905396

Chicago

Macit, Arife, Nagihan Kırcalı Haznedar, and Akgün Yeşiltepe. 2026. “Food Literacy, Sustainable Eating Behaviors, and Healthy Eating Index in University Students”. Balıkesir Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 15 (2): 410-17. https://doi.org/10.53424/balikesirsbd.1905396.

EndNote

Macit A, Kırcalı Haznedar N, Yeşiltepe A (June 1, 2026) Food Literacy, Sustainable Eating Behaviors, and Healthy Eating Index in University Students. Balıkesir Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 15 2 410–417.

IEEE

[1]A. Macit, N. Kırcalı Haznedar, and A. Yeşiltepe, “Food Literacy, Sustainable Eating Behaviors, and Healthy Eating Index in University Students”, BAUN Health Sci J, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 410–417, June 2026, doi: 10.53424/balikesirsbd.1905396.

ISNAD

Macit, Arife - Kırcalı Haznedar, Nagihan - Yeşiltepe, Akgün. “Food Literacy, Sustainable Eating Behaviors, and Healthy Eating Index in University Students”. Balıkesir Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 15/2 (June 1, 2026): 410-417. https://doi.org/10.53424/balikesirsbd.1905396.

JAMA

1.Macit A, Kırcalı Haznedar N, Yeşiltepe A. Food Literacy, Sustainable Eating Behaviors, and Healthy Eating Index in University Students. BAUN Health Sci J. 2026;15:410–417.

MLA

Macit, Arife, et al. “Food Literacy, Sustainable Eating Behaviors, and Healthy Eating Index in University Students”. Balıkesir Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, vol. 15, no. 2, June 2026, pp. 410-7, doi:10.53424/balikesirsbd.1905396.

Vancouver

1.Arife Macit, Nagihan Kırcalı Haznedar, Akgün Yeşiltepe. Food Literacy, Sustainable Eating Behaviors, and Healthy Eating Index in University Students. BAUN Health Sci J. 2026 Jun. 1;15(2):410-7. doi:10.53424/balikesirsbd.1905396