Sürdürülebilir Kalkınma Amaçları
Yayınlar
- MakaleYalnız künye2026Psychological determinants and consumer acceptance of cultured meat: a multi-dimensional analysis among Turkish adults
Akduman, Gul; Kurtbeyoglu, Emine
Purpose – The environmental, ethical and health issues associated with conventional meat production necessitate the exploration of cultured meat as an alternative protein source. This study aims to assess the psychological determinants and consumer segments of cultured meat among Turkish adults. Design/methodology/approach – The study was conducted using an online survey with 471 participants (66% male, mean age 28.4 ± 9.2 years), measuring awareness, willingness to try, risk–benefit evaluative orientation and attitudinal factors. An exploratory composite evaluative indicator, termed the risk-benefit evaluative index (RBEI) was constructed from seven concern questions, and standardized factor scores reflecting environmental–ethical (F1) and health–technology (F2) attitudes were calculated. Cluster analysis (k = 3) revealed three consumer segments: Supportive Optimists, Hesitant Pragmatists and Skeptical Resisters. Findings – While awareness of cultured meat was relatively high, willingness to try remained limited. Consumer acceptance was primarily associated with attitudinal dimensions, particularly environmental–ethical considerations and trust in health and technology, whereas demographic variables showed limited explanatory power. Segmentation analysis revealed three distinct consumer profiles with differing acceptance patterns. Research limitations/implications – The findings suggest that consumer acceptance is primarily shaped by multidimensional psychological evaluations, particularly environmental–ethical considerations and trust in health and technology. The study highlights a “high awareness–low acceptance” paradox and underscores the importance of communication strategies that address both perceived risks and benefits. By combining an exploratory composite evaluative indicator with factor-analytic attitudinal dimensions and consumer segmentation, this study provides a more comprehensive approach to understanding consumer acceptance and offers practical insights for promoting the adoption of cultured meat. Originality/value – This study provides one of the first comprehensive investigations of cultured meat acceptance among Turkish adults by integrating a risk–benefit evaluative index, attitudinal dimensions, and consumer segmentation within a single analytical framework. By combining an exploratory composite evaluative indicator (RBEI), factor analysis, and cluster analysis, the study identifies three distinct consumer segments and highlights the “high awareness–low acceptance” paradox in an emerging market context. The findings demonstrate that evaluative and psychological attitudes, particularly environmental–ethical considerations and trust in health and technology, are more influential than sociodemographic characteristics in shaping consumer acceptance, providing practical insights for communication strategies and policies promoting alternative protein adoption.
- MakaleYalnız künye2026Sustainable Nutrition Behaviors and Physical Activity Attitudes Among College Students: A Cross-Sectional Study
Kurtbeyoglu, Emine; Kaya, Aleyna
Objective: This study aimed to examine sustainable nutrition behaviors and attitudes toward physical activity among college students. Design: A cross-sectional study. Setting: College setting. Participants: The study included 303 college students (171 female, 132 male). Main Outcome Measure: Sustainable nutrition behaviors were assessed using the Behaviors Scale Towards Sustainable Nutrition, whereas beliefs and attitudes related to physical activity were measured using the Exercise Health Belief Model Scale. Anthropometric measurements, including body weight and waist circumference, were obtained by researchers. Analysis: Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses, as appropriate, and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted. Results: Sustainable nutrition behavior scale total scores were positively correlated with exercise Health Belief Model scores (r = 0.444, P < 0.001) and negatively correlated with body mass index (r = −0.142, P = 0.01) and waist circumference (r = −0.169, P = 0.003). After adjusting for sex, academic level, and income level, sustainable nutrition behaviors remained significantly associated with attitudes toward physical activity (β = 0.400, P < 0.001), explaining 22.6% of the variance (R² = 0.226). Conclusions and Implications: Students with more positive attitudes toward physical activity are more likely to engage in sustainable nutrition behaviors. Integrated health promotion strategies addressing both physical activity and sustainable nutrition may support healthier and more sustainable lifestyles among college students.
- MakaleYayıncıda açık erişim2026Maternal chrononutrition during pregnancy and the composition of intestinal and placental microbiota
Kurtbeyoglu, Emine; Caferoglu Akin, Zeynep; Ozdemir, Fatma
Background: Disrupted feeding timing may alter microbiota profiles and contribute to metabolic disturbances. This study aimed to investigate the impact of maternal chrononutrition during pregnancy on maternal gut and placental microbiota. Methods: This study was conducted between April 2022 and February 2023 at Erciyes University Faculty of Medicine Hospitals and Kayseri Private Dünyam Hospital in Kayseri, Türkiye, among healthy pregnant women with predominantly daytime feeding (pDT, n = 10) or predominantly nighttime feeding (pNT, n = 10). A questionnaire was administered, and three-day food consumption diaries were recorded at both 20–26 and 32–36 weeks of gestation. Fecal samples were collected at 32–36 weeks of gestation, and placental samples were collected at birth and stored at -80 °C until analysis. Results: Although total daily energy intake at both gestational periods (20–26 and 32–36 weeks) was similar between the groups, gestational weight gain was greater in the pNT group [16.30 (5.25) kg] than in the pDT group [11.90 (3.41) kg] (p = 0.039). Compared with the pDT group, the Firmicutes: Bacteroidetes ratio was higher in the maternal gut microbiota of the pNT group. Furthermore, Bacilli, Lactobacillales, Lactobacillaceae, and Lactobacillus were significantly more abundant in the pDT group than in the pNT group (p < 0.05). The intestinal and placental microbiota of the pDT and pNT groups had similar alpha and beta diversity. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that predominantly daytime or nighttime feeding during pregnancy may influence the composition of maternal gut and placental microbiota. These microbiome alterations may have potential implications for maternal and infant health; however, larger longitudinal studies are needed to clarify their long-term relevance, including possible links with fetal programming.
- MakaleYalnız künye2026Food reward sensitivity mediates the association between chemosensory pleasure and adiposity in young adults
Kurtbeyoglu, Emine; Caferoglu Akin, Zeynep; Aslan Gonul, Busra
This cross-sectional study investigated whether food reward sensitivity mediates the association between chemosensory pleasure and adiposity in young adults. A total of 300 university students completed the Chemosensory Pleasure Scale (CPS), the Power of Food Scale (PFS), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), alongside anthropometric assessments. Chemosensory pleasure was strongly and positively associated with food reward sensitivity (β = 0.620, p < .001), and this relationship remained robust after adjustment for age, sex, BMI, and depressive symptoms. While chemosensory pleasure showed only weak direct associations with adiposity indicators, food reward sensitivity was positively associated with body fat percentage. Mediation analyses demonstrated a significant indirect effect of chemosensory pleasure on body fat percentage through food reward sensitivity (indirect effect = 0.105; 95% CI: 0.039–0.179), indicating an indirect-only pathway. Although sex-stratified analyses suggested some pattern differences, moderated mediation analyses did not support a significant moderating role of sex. These findings suggest that chemosensory pleasure may be related to adiposity primarily when accompanied by increased food reward sensitivity. The results highlight food reward sensitivity as a potential psychological mechanism linking sensory responsiveness to adiposity.