Background. Chronotype is the attitude of a subject in determining the individual circadian preference in behavioral and biological rhythm associated with eating behaviors and health. Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between chronotype, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and attitudes to healthy nutrition in Turkish adults. Methods. A survey was conducted online using online platforms. A total of 1,197 volunteers between 18-65 years of age participated in our study. Participants’ adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS); their healthy eating attitude and chronotype were assessed using the Attitude Scale for Healthy Nutrition (ASHN) and the Morning-Evening Questionnaire (MEQ), respectively. Results. Most of the participants were classified as those with an intermediate chronotype. More than half of evening-type participants and nearly half of intermediate-type participants had poor Mediterranean diet adherence. In addition, the percentages of individuals with morning and evening chronotypes in the very low and moderate classification ranges were similar and lower than the percentages of those with an intermediate chronotype. Linear regression analysis revealed that participants with higher MEQ values had higher ASHN and MEDAS scores and a lower body mass index as compared to those with lower MEQ values. Conclusions. Chronotype was associated with Mediterranean diet adherence and healthy eating attitude. In particular, morning-type subjects showed higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet than intermediate- and evening-type subjects.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the link between food neophobia and two dimensions of orthorexia in women. This cross-sectional study of 985 women aged 18 years and over was conducted using face-to-face questionnaires. Women who had a disability, had a chronic disease, or were pregnant or breastfeeding were excluded. Participants provided information on their sociodemographic details (age and educational level) and frequency of physical activity. Orthorexic tendencies were assessed using the Teruel Orthorexia Scale. The women’s attitude towards trying new foods was assessed using the Food Neophobia Scale. A total of 337 participants (34.2%) were neophilic, 322 participants (32.7%) were neutral, and 326 participants (33.1%) were neophobic. There was no correlation between food neophobia scores and either age or body mass index. However, food neophobia was positively correlated with healthy orthorexia and orthorexia nervosa (p < 0.05). The mean individual scores for orthorexia nervosa and healthy orthorexia according to the Teruel Orthorexia Scale were 11.45 ± 3.91 and 20.04 ± 4.31, respectively. The results indicate that individuals with orthorexia nervosa have higher food neophobia scores, reflecting a greater reluctance to try unfamiliar foods, whereas individuals with healthy orthorexia do not show significant differences in food neophobia tendencies. This distinction highlights the importance of distinguishing between pathological and non-pathological eating behaviors when addressing dietary concerns.

Women experience unique dynamics in health and Quality of Life (QoL) due to biological, psychological, and social factors. These dynamics necessitate a comprehensive examination of the indirect effects of Diet Quality (DQ) on Mental and Physical well-being through Body Mass Index (BMI). This study aims to elucidate the indirect pathways through which DQ influences mental and physical well-being, with a particular focus on the mediating role of BMI. This cross-sectional study was conducted with women (n = 985) aged 19–64 years. Anthropometric measurements and 24-Hour Dietary Recall (24HDR) data were collected. QoL was assessed using the Short Form-36 (SF-36), which comprises two primary subdimensions: (1) Mental Well-being, represented by the Mental Component Summary (MCS), and (2) Physical Well-being, represented by the Physical Component Summary (PCS). The Nutrient-Based Diet Quality Index (NBDQ) and Carbohydrate-to-Fibre Ratio (CHO-FBR) were calculated from 24HDR data to evaluate DQ. Two mediation models were employed. Model 1 examined the indirect effects of NBDQ on Mental and Physical well-being through BMI, with age as a confounder. Model 2 assessed the indirect effects of CHO-FBR on Mental and Physical well-being through BMI, also considering age as a confounder. The mean age of participants was 31.68 ± 11.95 years. No significant differences were found in educational attainment across DQ quartiles (p = 0.228). Younger women (19–24 years) were more prevalent in lower DQ quartiles, while older women (45–64 years) showed higher DQ scores (p = 0.001). Women with spouses had higher DQ (p = 0.007). MCS score improved with a better NBDQ (p = 0.033), although PCS score did not show significant difference ( p = 0.607). Mediation analysis revealed that NBDQ was significantly associated with MCS (β = 0.169, p = 0.004) but not with BMI (β = 0.004, p = 0.568). Aditionally, NBDQ showed a non-significant relationship with PCS (β = -0.022, p = 0.505). Improving DQ can enhance mental well-being (MCS), particularly among older women and those with spouses, while no impact was found on physical well-being (PCS). Since BMI did not mediate these effects and CHO-FBR showed no significant associations, nutritional strategies should prioritize DQ alongside age and social dynamics to effectively enhance women’s QoL.

Aim. This study aimed to evaluate the associations of daily dietary intake of fructose and sucrose with HbA1c levels and anthropometric measurements in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods. A total of 64 individuals were included in the study. Demographic characteristics, eating habits, frequency of fructose and sucrose source consumption, and dietary intakes were assessed through questioning. Anthropometric measurements, including body weight, height circumference (HtC), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), neck circumference (NC), wrist circumference (WrC), and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), were evaluated. The HbA1c level was categorized into two groups: good glycemic control (HbA1c≤ 7%) and poor (HbA1c> 7%) glycemic control. Results. The mean daily fructose and sucrose intakes were 10.57 ± 8.28 g (2.38 ± 1.96%), and 29.21 ± 24.78 g (6.29 ± 5.35%), respectively. All the anthropometric measurements assessed were lower in the group with good glycemic control; however, only in case of BMI, MUAC, NC, and WrC, these differences were significant. Patients with good glycemic control were found to consume more fruit. Anthropometric measurements were not related to daily fructose intake, but positively associated with sucrose intake and HbA1c levels. Specifically, HbA1c levels were negatively associated with fiber intake and positively associated with sucrose intake. Moreover, HbA1c levels were positively affected by NC and consumption of non-alcoholic carbonated drinks, and negatively affected by WC and consumption of sugar-containing instant coffee. Conclusions. The mean daily fructose intake among diabetics was found to be moderate and sucrose intake was consistent with the recommended range. The level of HbA1c was shown to be associated with all the anthropometric parameters assessed, and it was found that sugar-sweetened beverages could affect the level of HbA1c. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to investigate these relationships more comprehensively.