The relationship of food craving with body mass index, eating attitude and nutrition knowledge level among students: A foundation university sample

This study aims to examine the frequency and types of food cravings in the daily lives of university students, as well as to investigate the relationship of food cravings with body mass index, eating attitudes, and nutritional knowledge levels. During this critical period when young people transition to adult eating patterns, examining whether their food cravings predict obesity and eating disorders is crucial for providing proper education, guidance, and overall well-being. The study was designed as a cross-sectional descriptive study and conducted with 375 students (244 women, 131 men) from Yeditepe University Kayışdağı 26 August Campus. The mean body mass index of the group was 22.93±3.99 kg/m². Turkish version of Food Craving Inventory (FCI-TR) was used to identify food cravings, Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26) was used to determine impaired eating attitudes, Nutrition Knowledge Level Scale for Adults (YETBID) was used to identify the nutritional knowledge, and Body Mass Index (BMI) (kg/m2) was used to determine obesity status. The data was collected in face-to-face interviews using a questionnaire. As a result of the study concluded that food craving levels differs according to gender, BMI, impaired eating attitudes, however not with nutrition knowledge level and smoking status. It found that the sub-dimensions of EAT-26 differed according to gender, BMI, and the sub-groups of FCI-TR. In conclusion, food cravings may be a predictor of obesity risk factors and unhealthy eating attitudes.