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Journals / Balıkesir Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi / 2026 / Volume: 15 Issue: 2

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

Arife Macit(MUNZUR UNIVERSITY)0000-0002-3717-2725
Nagihan Kırcalı Haznedar(SELCUK UNIVERSITY)0000-0002-2683-7971
Akgün Yeşiltepe(MUNZUR UNIVERSITY)0000-0002-4720-3118
Pages
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Publication Date
2026-06-30
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⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Conclusion: In conclusion, it is considered that food literacy is associated with sustainable eating behaviors, but this relationship may not directly reflect diet quality.

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Objective & Hypothesis: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.
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Key Findings & Data: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.
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Conclusion & Impact:Conclusion: In conclusion, it is considered that food literacy is associated with sustainable eating behaviors, but this relationship may not directly reflect diet quality.
🔬Design:Survey & Empirical Study
📍Scope:2015 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Nutrition · Food literacy · Sustainable and healthy eating behaviors

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

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Cite This Article

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

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