Associations Between Microbiota Awareness, Healthy Eating Attitude, and Sociodemographic Factors in University...

The global epidemic of diet-related chronic diseases emphasizes the significance of the human gut microbiota in dietary physiological effects and the etiology of chronic diseases. This research aimed to assess the relationship between microbiota awareness, healthy eating attitudes, and sociodemographic factors in university students. Two hundred forty-two university students participated in this descriptive and analytical study in Aydın and Ordu, Türkiye. University students completed a general information form, anthropometric measures, the Attitude Scale for Healthy Nutrition, the Microbiota Awareness Scale, and a probiotic and prebiotic food frequency questionnaire. In total, 48 (19.8%) male and 194 (80.2%) female students participated in the study. Nutrition and dietetics students had higher total scores and sub-factor scores in ASHN and microbiota awareness and lower body mass index compared to other departments (p < 0.05). A positive and significant correlation was found between the Attitude Scale for Healthy Nutrition and Microbiota Awareness Scale total scores. Conversely, a negative statistically significant correlation was observed between body mass index and the total score of the Microbiota Awareness Scale (p < 0.05). The frequency of probiotic and prebiotic food consumption was higher in nutrition and dietetics students compared to other departments. A higher Attitude Scale for Healthy Nutrition, studying in the nutrition and dietetic department, knowing the term microbiota, and self-assessment on microbiota knowledge as good were associated with increased awareness of microbiota (p < 0.05). Given this positive association, integrating healthy nutrition, microbiota, probiotics, and prebiotics into the educational curricula for all university departments, scientific conferences, and academic research may enhance microbiota awareness among university students.