Linking Hedonic Hunger to Ultra-Processed Food Consumption in Young Adult Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

Türkçe

Aim: This study examined the relationship between hedonic hunger and ultra-processed food consumption among young adult women.Material and Method: Data were collected using a self-report survey method in this cross-sectional study from April to May 2025, involving 838 young adult women (age range: 20–37 years). Participants completed the Power of Food Scale and a food consumption frequency questionnaire, which included ultra-processed foods based on the NOVA classification. The Power of Food Scale has three sub-scales: food available, food present, and food tasted. Higher scores on the scale demonstrate a greater tendency for hedonic hunger. Results: Consumption of total ultra-processed foods in the highest Power of Food Scale quartile, that is Q4, was significantly higher than in the lower quartiles (Q1-Q2-Q3) (p