The presentation was delivered by Research Assistant Güldane Yıldırım, and the paper was co-authored by Assoc. Prof. Dr. H. Merve Bayram, Prof. Dr. S. Arda Öztürkcan, and Nutrition and Dietetics student Duygu Aydın.
Titled “The Relationship of Food Label Literacy and Diet Self-Efficacy with Orthorexic Tendencies and Diet Quality,” the study explored the role of personal skills in shaping healthy dietary behaviors.
The findings revealed that individuals with higher food label literacy tend to make more conscious food choices, resulting in better diet quality. Similarly, those with stronger diet self-efficacy—meaning a higher confidence in their ability to maintain healthy eating—were better able to sustain both healthy and, at times, restrictive dietary patterns.
Notably, participants with greater emotional control and resistance to tempting foods were more likely to follow healthier diets. These outcomes underscore the importance of enhancing individual capacities in promoting healthy nutrition at the population level.
The study concludes that people who can accurately interpret food labels and feel confident managing their diets may play a key role in improving overall public health. Developing such competencies from an early age could be vital in preventing diet-related conditions such as obesity. As a result, it is recommended that nutrition education programs focus not only on knowledge but also on building practical, behavior-based skills.
We sincerely congratulate our faculty members and student for their valuable contributions and successful presentation.
