The effect of university students attitudes towards plant-based meat alternatives on body mass index and intuitive eating

Plant-based meat alternatives have been rapidly increasing due to health concerns associated with traditional meat consumption, environmental issues, and ethical considerations related to animal production. The aim of this study is to examine the impact of university students' attitudes toward plant-based meat alternatives on body mass index (BMI) and intuitive eating levels. The study was conducted among actively enrolled students at Haliç University, and data were collected through a survey method. The survey form consisted of demographic information, items assessing attitudes toward plant-based meat alternatives, and the Intuitive Eating Scale (IES-2). In addition, participants' self-reported height and weight were used to calculate their BMI values. The collected data were analyzed to explore the relationships between students' attitudes toward plant-based meat alternatives and the subscales of the Intuitive Eating Scale (reliance on hunger and satiety cues, eating for emotional reasons, dietary flexibility, and body–food awareness), as well as across BMI categories. Statistical analyses revealed that students who perceived plant-based meat products as nutritious demonstrated higher levels of intuitive eating, with significant differences observed in some subscales (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that university students' attitudes toward plant-based meat alternatives may influence not only their dietary preferences but also their eating behaviors and BMI levels.