Abstract

Background: This study aims to assess the level of food neophobia (FN) among individuals in Turkey and to examine the relationship between eating attitudes and food-technology neophobia.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was announced online between June and August 2022. Demographic information was collected alongside the Food Neophobia Scale (FNS), the Food Technology Neophobia Scale (FTNS), and the Eating Attitude Test-26 (EAT-26).
Results: A total of adult participants (n=489, age:18–68) completed the online survey. A positive statistically significant correlation was found between FNS total and FTNS total (r:0.227, p=0.000). As FN increases, FTN increases as well. No statistically significant difference was found between the FNS-willingness to try new foods subscale and the EAT-26 and its subscales (p>0.05).
Conclusion: This study contributes to the promotion of FNS and FTNS. Language and cultural differences limit the indiscriminate use of scales, and changes and adaptations are required to broaden their use. Further research is needed to explore the causal mechanisms underlying these relationships and to develop interventions that promote both eating behavior and food neophobia.

Key words: Food neophobia, food technology, neophobia, eating attitude