Associations of food insecurity and mindful eating with the Dietary Phytochemical Index and quality of life among young adults: a cross-sectional study

Büşra Ayhan; Gülsüm Deveci; Emine Yassıbaş

doi:10.32322/jhsm.2018241

Associations of food insecurity and mindful eating with the Dietary Phytochemical Index and quality of life among young adults: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Aims: This study examined the associations among food security, mindful eating, dietary Phytochemical Index (DPI), and quality of life. Methods: The study included 1470 young adults aged 19-30. Study data were collected using a two-part questionnaire. In the first part of the questionnaire, questions were asked about the individuals’ demographic characteristics and nutritional habits. The second part includes anthropometric measurements, the Food Consumption Frequency Questionnaire, the Food Insecurity Experience Scale, the General Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF), and the Mindful Eating Questionnaire (MEQ). Results: Research findings indicate that food security is closely linked to individuals’ quality of life and mindful eating behaviors. Specifically, in individuals with food security, the sub-dimensions of the WHOQOL-BREF scale were found to correlate with the Phytochemical Index (PI). While females had significantly higher phytochemical indices than males (p<0.001), the presence of a chronic disease was also associated with the PI (p=0.027). Higher education levels reduced the factor associated with food insecurity (p<0.001), whereas disease status increased it (p=0.003). The PI scores of the groups experiencing moderate (p=0.020) and severe (p=0.008) food insecurity were higher than those of the reference group with food security. However, further analysis showed that this difference was significant only in cases of severe food insecurity. MEQ scores were a positive independent predictor of the PI (p<0.001). Conclusion: Food insecurity is not merely an economic or nutritional problem, but a multifaceted public health issue closely linked to quality of life and mindful eating behaviors. Therefore, when developing sustainable solutions at the community level, it is crucial to consider all factors that are thought to be associated with food security as a whole.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Public Health Nutrition

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Büşra Ayhan ^*
0000-0001-8617-8552
Türkiye

Gülsüm Deveci
0009-0008-1862-3747
Türkiye

Emine Yassıbaş
0000-0002-8784-3371
Türkiye

Publication Date

October 25, 2026

Submission Date

August 14, 2026

Acceptance Date

September 23, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 9 Number: 6

DOI

https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.2018241

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA92UR26AR

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Ayhan, B., Deveci, G., & Yassıbaş, E. (2026). Associations of food insecurity and mindful eating with the Dietary Phytochemical Index and quality of life among young adults: a cross-sectional study. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine, 9(6), 1735-1743. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.2018241

AMA

1.Ayhan B, Deveci G, Yassıbaş E. Associations of food insecurity and mindful eating with the Dietary Phytochemical Index and quality of life among young adults: a cross-sectional study. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2026;9(6):1735-1743. doi:10.32322/jhsm.2018241

Chicago

Ayhan, Büşra, Gülsüm Deveci, and Emine Yassıbaş. 2026. “Associations of Food Insecurity and Mindful Eating With the Dietary Phytochemical Index and Quality of Life Among Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9 (6): 1735-43. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.2018241.

EndNote

Ayhan B, Deveci G, Yassıbaş E (October 1, 2026) Associations of food insecurity and mindful eating with the Dietary Phytochemical Index and quality of life among young adults: a cross-sectional study. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9 6 1735–1743.

IEEE

[1]B. Ayhan, G. Deveci, and E. Yassıbaş, “Associations of food insecurity and mindful eating with the Dietary Phytochemical Index and quality of life among young adults: a cross-sectional study”, J Health Sci Med / JHSM, vol. 9, no. 6, pp. 1735–1743, Oct. 2026, doi: 10.32322/jhsm.2018241.

ISNAD

Ayhan, Büşra - Deveci, Gülsüm - Yassıbaş, Emine. “Associations of Food Insecurity and Mindful Eating With the Dietary Phytochemical Index and Quality of Life Among Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9/6 (October 1, 2026): 1735-1743. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.2018241.

JAMA

1.Ayhan B, Deveci G, Yassıbaş E. Associations of food insecurity and mindful eating with the Dietary Phytochemical Index and quality of life among young adults: a cross-sectional study. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2026;9:1735–1743.

MLA

Ayhan, Büşra, et al. “Associations of Food Insecurity and Mindful Eating With the Dietary Phytochemical Index and Quality of Life Among Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine, vol. 9, no. 6, Oct. 2026, pp. 1735-43, doi:10.32322/jhsm.2018241.

Vancouver

1.Büşra Ayhan, Gülsüm Deveci, Emine Yassıbaş. Associations of food insecurity and mindful eating with the Dietary Phytochemical Index and quality of life among young adults: a cross-sectional study. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2026 Oct. 1;9(6):1735-43. doi:10.32322/jhsm.2018241