The relationship between food neurophobia and food aversion and body image and eating attitudes of university students

Food has a vital importance in maintaining human life in a healthy way. Food aversion and fear of trying new foods, which are among many different factors that affect nutritional behavior. It has an impact on our dietary and food choices. In this study, it was carried out to examine the relationship between food neophobia and food aversion in university students with body perception, nutritional knowledge level and eating attitude The research was conducted with 600 volunteer associate and undergraduate degree students studying at Toros University Vocational School of Health and Faculty of Health between November 1, 2024 and March 1, 2025. At the beginning of the study, questions about demographic characteristics, eating habits and anthropometric measurements of individuals were obtained by face-to-face interview and questionnaire form. International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF) was used to determine physical activity status, Food Neophobia Scale (FNS) to determine individuals' fear of food, Food Disgust Scale (FDS) was used to to measure individuals' food aversion levels, Body Appreciation Scale (BAS) to determine individuals' body perceptions, Nutrition Knowledge Level Scale for Adults (YETBID) to determine individuals' nutritional knowledge levels, and finally Eating Attitude Test (YTT-26) to determine individuals' eating attitudes.A weak positive correlation was found between the FDS and BAS of the individuals (p<0,001). A weak positive correlation was also found between the FNS and the FDS of the individuals (p<0.01). A weak negative correlation was found between the FNS and BAS of the individuals (p<0,05). A weak positive correlation was found between food aversion level and YTT-26 (p<0,05). There is a weak negative correlation between food aversion level and BMI (p<0,05). A weak negative correlation was also found between food aversion level and body weight (p<0,001). A weak negative correlation was found between body mass index and BAS (p<0,001). A middle positive correlation was found between body mass index and body weight (p<0,001). Finally, a weak negative correlation was observed between IPAQ-SF and food-related triggers (p<0,05). The findings show that food neophobia and food aversion have significant effects on university students' body perception, nutritional knowledge and eating attitudes, and that these psychological factors should be taken into account in the development of healthy eating behaviors.In line with the findings of this study, it has been found that there is a need for multifaceted approaches regarding food neophobia, food aversion, body perception, nutritional knowledge level and eating attitudes of university students.