Emine Elibol

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between pain, sleep, and nutrition during the premenstrual, menstrual, and postmenstrual phases in women of reproductive age.Method: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 250 women aged 19-40 years. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Sleep Quality Scale, the Premenstrual Symptoms Coping Scale, dietary records, and the Visual Analog Scale. Data were obtained at three stages: premenstrual, menstrual, and postmenstrual. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 24.Results: This rates of appetite increase were found to be 55.6% in the premenstrual phase, 45.6% in the menstrual phase, and 16.0% in the postmenstrual phase. Single women had significantly lower sleep quality scale scores and higher visual analogue scale scores in the menstrual phase compared to married women (p<0.05). Menstrual cycle length and duration were found to have statistically significant effects on visual analogue scale and sleep quality scale scores (p<0.05). Energy, carbohydrate, fiber intake were higher during the premenstrual phase compared to other phases (p<0.05).Conclusion: The severity of pain in the menstrual phase may affect sleep quality and lead to changes in appetite and food consumption.

Bu çalışmanın amacı; mesleklere göre iş stresinin hedonik açlık üzerine etkisini değerlendirmektir. Çalışmaya 170 kadın, 114 erkek toplam 284 birey katılmıştır. Meslekler sağlık personeli, asker/polis/güvenlik görevlisi, öğretmen/akademisyen, yönetici/antrenör, yardımcı personel, satış/pazarlama/taşımacılık, mühendis/mimar/teknisyen ve diğer olarak sınıflandırılmıştır. İş stresini ölçmek için İş stresi Ölçeği (İSÖ) kullanılmıştır. Ölçekte puan arttıkça iş stresi artmaktadır. Hedonik açlığı ölçmek için Besin Gücü Ölçeği (BGÖ), Lezzetli Besinleri Tüketme Motivasyonu Ölçeği (LBTMÖ) uygulanmıştır. Ölçeklerden alınan puan arttıkça hedonik açlık artmaktadır. Analizler SPSS 22 programı ile yapılmıştır. Çalışmaya katılanların %30,6’sını (n=87) öğretmen/akademisyenler, %13’ünü (n=37) sağlık personeli, %8,1’ini (n=23) asker, polis, güvenlik görevlisi oluşturmaktadır. En düşük İSÖ toplam puanı öğretmen/akademisyenlerde (0,71±0,14), en yüksek asker/polis/güvenlik görevlisi (0,94±0,25) grubunda gözlemlenmiştir (p

Healthy eating is a crucial concept encompassing biochemical, physical, and psychosocial domains, and various nutritional indices and scales have been developed to assess the healthfulness of individuals' diets. This study aimed to evaluate the validity of the My Nutrition Index and examine its relationship with the Healthy Eating Index-2015 in the Turkish population. This cross-sectional study included 498 participants aged 19-64 years. Demographic and anthropometric data were collected, and three-day food consumption records were obtained to calculate both the My Nutrition Index and the Healthy Eating Index-2015. Validity of the MNI was assessed by examining its correlation with the HEI-2015 using Pearson's correlation test. Additionally, subgroup analyses were conducted to explore associations between MNI scores and demographic variables. Data analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS Statistics 26 software package. Of the 498 participants, 65.4% were female and 34.6% were male. The mean age of the participants was 32.59 ± 14.34 years, and the mean body mass index was 24.58 ± 5.03 kg/m². The mean score for the My Nutrition Index was 47.91 ± 15.88, while the mean score for the Healthy Eating Index was 56.87 ± 10.49. A significant positive correlation was observed between the total score of the My Nutrition Index, the electrolyte, vitamin, and mineral subscales, and the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (p < 0.05). The mineral index scores of women were lower than those of men, and the My Nutrition Index score of individuals classified as underweight was lower than those of individuals with normal weight and obesity. Smokers had lower scores on both the My Nutrition Index and the Healthy Eating Index-2015 compared to non-smokers (p < 0.05). The My Nutrition Index demonstrated a significant correlation with the Healthy Eating Index-2015 in Türkiye. By providing a more culturally and contextually appropriate assessment tool, the My Nutrition Index may facilitate more targeted and effective interventions aimed at improving dietary habits. Future research should focus on validating the MNI in diverse populations and exploring its relationship with long-term health outcomes through longitudinal studies to further establish its clinical and public health relevance.

Menopause is a natural process that often leads to physical and emotional symptoms affecting women’s quality of life. Nutrition is increasingly recognized as important in managing these symptoms, with certain dietary patterns—particularly those rich in fiber and whole grains—showing potential benefits. In many regions, including parts of Asia and countries with carbohydrate-heavy diets, carbohydrate quality may significantly influence menopausal health outcomes and related chronic conditions. This study aimed to examine the relationship between carbohydrate quality index, and menopausal symptoms and quality of life in postmenopausal women. A total of 604 postmenopausal women participated. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL) (higher scores indicate poorer quality of life), and the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) (higher scores indicate more severe symptoms). A food frequency questionnaire was used to collect dietary intake. Carbohydrate quality was assessed using the Carbohydrate Quality Index (CQI), which considers glycemic index, fiber intake, solid carbohydrate-to-total carbohydrate ratio, and whole grain consumption. Participants were divided into five quartiles based on their CQI scores. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 24, with Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, ANOVA, and regression analysis controlling for socioeconomic status, body mass index, education, and menopausal status. Among the participating women, 273 were aged 30–55 years, 241 were aged 56–64 years, and 90 were aged 65 years and older. The youngest group (30–55) had the highest MENQOL (19.81 ± 9.70) and MRS (44.77 ± 30.91) scores, indicating more severe symptoms. Women postmenopausal for over 3 years reported significantly lower MENQOL scores (15.74 ± 0.42) compared to those postmenopausal for less than 3 years (17.98 ± 10.84) (Z=-1.95, p < 0.05). Across CQI quartiles, women in Q5 had significantly lowest MENQOL (14.35 ± 8.77) scores (Kruskal-Wallis χ²=2.24, p < 0.05). In regression analysis, being married (β = 0.13, p < 0.05) and receiving menopausal treatment (β = 0.11, p < 0.05) were positively associated with higher CQI scores. Higher carbohydrate quality, is linked to fewer menopausal symptoms. Regression analysis showed that marital status and menopausal treatment were significantly associated with Carbohydrate Quality Index scores. Further research with larger samples and longitudinal studies is needed to explore the causal relationship between carbohydrate quality and menopausal outcomes.

Both the quantity and quality of carbohydrates consumed significantly influence athletes’ performance by improving muscle glycogen stores. This study aimed to evaluate the association of carbohydrate quality on enjoyment of physical activity and burnout in athletes. The study included 139 active athletes aged 19–35 years. A Demographic Structure Questionnaire, Athlete Burnout Questionnaire, and Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale were administered to the participants. To assess carbohydrate quality, food frequency data were collected, and carbohydrate quality was scored based on fibre intake, the whole/total grain ratio, glycaemic index, and solid/total carbohydrate ratio. The score obtained was divided into 5 quartiles, with Q5 representing the highest and Q1 the lowest carbohydrate quality. Data were analyzed using SPSS 24 software. Of the athletes, 76 were volleyball players, 36 were football players, and 27 participated in other sports. The age of the participants in the Q2 group was lower than in the Q4 group. The highest carbohydrate and protein intake was observed in the Q5 group, and the lowest in the Q1 group. The Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale score of the athletes in the Q5 group was significantly higher than that of the Q1 group (p < 0.05). There was a negative correlation between the Carbohydrate Quality Index and Athlete Burnout Questionnaire scores, glycaemic index, carbohydrate intake from liquids and refined grains, and a positive correlation between the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale, carbohydrate intake from solids, and whole grains (p < 0.05). Higher carbohydrate quality is positively associated with increased physical activity enjoyment and reduced burnout in athletes; however, further studies are needed on this topic.

Obesity and certain associated environmental factors increase the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This research aims to evaluate the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle, and diet quality with diabetes risk in overweight and obese Turkish adults. A questionnaire form including sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle, body weight and height was applied. Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC) tool was used to identify the risk of T2DM. Dietary assessments were made by 24 h dietary recall and diet quality was evaluated by Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015). According to FINDRISC score, 38.1% of adults were at mild risk, 21.9% were at moderate risk, and 20.9% were at high risk. In regression model, factors such as low educational level, being married, being employed, smoking, and the presence of comorbidities were found to increase the risk of developing diabetes. Each unit decline in HEI-2015, the risk of diabetes increased by a factor of 0.983. Sociodemographic factors, lifestyle, and diet quality significantly contribute to the increased risk of diabetes in overweight and obese Turkish adults. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov with number NCT06614075 and registration date of 26 September 2024, retrospectively registered.

In recent years, body image concerns, the influence of social media, and societal beauty standards have become significant issues affecting the mental and physical health of many individuals. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between muscularity-oriented eating behaviors and protein quality among university students who engage in regular exercise and those who do not. The study included 149 university students who exercise regularly and 301 who do not. Participants were assessed using a demographic questionnaire, the Muscularity-Oriented Eating Test (MOET), the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and a Food Frequency Questionnaire. Protein quality was evaluated considering dietary patterns and categorized into five quartiles. The participants' mean age was 21.95 ± 1.91 years, and their BMI was 22.71 ± 3.51 kg/m². The MOET score of those who exercised (19.1 ± 11.06) was significantly higher than those who did not (13.22 ± 9.11) (p < 0.05). Among exercisers, individuals in the Q2 group had significantly higher MOET scores compared to other groups (p < 0.05). The total protein quality score was significantly higher among those who exercised compared to non-exercisers (p < 0.05). According to regression analysis, a one-unit increase in the MOET score was associated with a 0.045-fold increase in protein quality. Individuals who exercised regularly were found to have higher protein quality and a greater tendency toward muscularity-oriented eating behaviors. Additionally, it was shown that those consuming higher-quality protein diets might also have a greater inclination toward muscularity-oriented eating.

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı vejetaryen olan ve olmayan bireylerin sağlıklı beslenmeye ilişkin tutum ve besin etiketi okuma alışkanlıklarının karşılaştırılmasıdır. Yöntem: Çalışmaya 19-64 yaş aralığında vejetaryen olan (90) ve olmayan (180) toplam 270 katılımcı dahil edilmiştir. Veri toplama aracı olarak “Demografik Yapı Anketi, “Besin Etiketi Okuma Alışkanlığı Saptama Anketi” ve “Sağlıklı Beslenmeye İlişkin Tutum Ölçeği (SBİTÖ)” kullanılmıştır. Okuma yazma bilmeyenler ve doktor tarafından tanısı konulmuş yeme bozukluğu ve psikiyatrik hastalığı olanlar çalışmaya dahil edilmemiştir. Verilerin analizi SPSS 22 paket programı kullanılarak yapılmıştır. Bulgular: Çalışmaya katılan bireylerin yaş ortalaması 27,0±8,88 yıldır. Beden Kütle İndeksi (BKİ) değeri ve vücut ağırlığı vejetaryen olan bireylerde olmayanlardan istatistiki olarak daha düşük bulunmuştur (p<0,05). Vejetaryen olan bireylerin çoğunluğu lakto-ovo vejetaryen (%37,7) ve vegandır (%36,6). Vejetaryenlerin % 88,9’u daha sömürüsüz bir dünya, %10’u sağlıklı olmak ve %1,1’i popüler olduğu için vejetaryen diyet tarzını benimsediğini ifade etmiştir. Vejetaryen bireylerin %77,8’i, olmayanların %42,2’si satın almadan önce besin etiketinde ürünün içindekiler listesine her zaman baktığını belirtmiştir. Ayrıca besin etiketi okurken vejetaryen olanların, olmayanlardan daha fazla besinin içerdiği katkı maddesi, enerji ve besin ögesi tablosuna baktığı saptanmıştır. SBİT ölçek puanı iki grup arasında benzer bulunmasına rağmen ölçek alt boyutlarından olumlu beslenme ve beslenme hakkında bilgi puanları vejetaryen bireylerde istatistiki olarak daha yüksek bulunmuştur (p<0,05). Sonuç: Vejetaryen bireylerin satın aldığı ürünlerin içerikleri hakkında daha fazla bilgi sahibi olmak istedikleri görülmüştür. Ayrıca vejetaryen olan bireylerin beslenme bilgisinin ve olumlu beslenme puanının daha yüksek kötü beslenme puanının daha düşük olduğu bulunmuştur.