Abstract
Several studies in different countries have been conducted to investigate factors affecting food choices. The objective of this study was to understand the motivations of specific food and beverage choices for different eating occasions in a typical diet of the Turkish people. A convenience sample of 141 respondents from seven different geographical regions in Turkey completed an online survey questionnaire that included questions about demographic information and details about their latest eating occasion. Respondents reported all of their motivations for choosing each food/beverage item reported for that specific eating occasion. Results indicated that different motivations played different roles in food choices of people in Turkey. Liking was a key characteristic for all eating occasions, but key natural concerns were even more important at breakfast, and need and hunger were more important for a mid-afternoon snack. Lunch involved additional motivations such as Sociability, Variety Seeking, and Social Norms. In addition to Liking, choices of different food groups were also driven by other motivations such as Habits, Convenience, Need and Hunger, Natural Concerns, and Health. This study helped better understand the current dietary patterns of Turkish people as well as the motives underlying their choices of foods and beverages for different meals and snacks. These findings could be useful for dietary campaigns that aim to improve eating behaviors in Turkey.
Highlights
Food choice is universally acknowledged as a complicated behavior that is influenced by various factors [1]
The study found that different motivations played different roles in food choices of the Turkish people
In addition to Liking, choices of different food groups were driven by other motivations
Summary
Food choice is universally acknowledged as a complicated behavior that is influenced by various factors [1]. Understanding why people choose to consume certain food items in specific eating occasions is beneficial for improving people’s lives by giving dietary advice to prevent health issues such as obesity and eating disorders. Understanding motivations for eating various food categories can help facilitate new food product development and better understand marketing of these new products [2,3]. Everyday food choice depends on several factors including biology (e.g., hunger, appetite), sociology (e.g., culture, social status), physiology (e.g., mood, stress), economics (e.g., availability, budget), marketing (e.g., advertising, distribution), and consumer science (e.g., attitudes, risk perception) [1]. Culture is one significant factor that shapes people’s dietary patterns and preferences [4,5]. Subcultures, and ethnic groups are often used
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