A research on comfort food consumption in Trabzon province

One of the important factors affecting individuals' food consumption behaviors is psychological factors. Foods that relax and make individuals feel good in different emotional states are called comfort foods. This thesis aims to determine the comfort foods consumed by individuals living in Trabzon in different emotional states and to examine whether there is a relationship between various demographic characteristics and comfort food consumption. The data of this study, based on qualitative research methods, were collected between June 01, 2022 and December 15, 2022 using a structured interview form. Participants were determined by gender, generation and districts using quota sampling method and snowball sampling method. As a result of the interviews, 268 valid interview forms were analyzed. Descriptive analysis method was used in data analysis. Chi-square analyses were conducted to examine whether there is a relationship between comfort foods and demographic variables. It was concluded that individuals mostly consume tea, chocolate, grilled meat and cake in positive emotional states; they mostly consume chocolate, tea, water and chips in negative emotional states; they consume kale, corn, fish and potato dishes as nostalgic and remembrance foods; and they consume soup, linden and mint-lemon in case of illness. It was concluded that comfort food preferences were affected by age and gender. There is a relationship between individuals' gender and appetite in negative mood and women's appetite is affected more than men.