Determining the relationship between factors affecting food choices and body mass indexes of Hasan Kalyoncu University Faculty of health sciences students

The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between the factors affecting the food choices of Hasan Kalyoncu University Faculty of Health Sciences students and their body mass indexes. The research was conducted with 196 volunteers, 51 male and 145 female, between the ages of 18-28, who were studying at Hasan Kalyoncu University Faculty of Health Sciences between April 2022 and June 2022. General information of the individuals, daily energy expenditure record, height and body weight information were obtained. Body mass indexes (BMI) were calculated and classified. Food Choice Questionnaire/FCQ was applied to determine the factors affecting food choices. According to the scores obtained from this test, the order of importance of the factors affecting food choices was evaluated. The most important factor affecting food choice for individuals is sensory appeal, while the least important factor is ethical concern. A statistically significant difference was found between the weight control factor scores of the individuals according to their BMI classification (p<0.05). Those who care most about weight control while choosing food are overweight individuals, and those who care least are thin individuals. There were no statistically significant differences between the scores of health, mood, conformity, sensory appeal, natural content, price, familiarity and ethical anxiety factors according to BMI classification of individuals (p>0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the which attracted the attention advertisement, status of reading food label according to their BMI classification of individuals (p>0.05). Statistically significant differences were found between the individuals' gender, undergraduate grade level, smoking status, and diagnosed disease status according to BMI classification (p<0.05). A positive, weak and significant relationship was found between BMI and weight control factor and between physical activity level (PAL) and health factor (r= 0.188; p=0.004), (r= 0.144; p=0.022), respectively. Continuous nutrition education should be given to individuals with a multidisciplinary approach in order to prevent the formation of wrong eating habits and to make correct food choices. Determining the degree of importance of the factors affecting food choices and examining their effectiveness will help improve social health in a positive way. In addition, the importance of regular physical activity for health should be emphasized. Keywords: Body mass index, food choice, Food Choice Questionnaire( FCQ)