Microbiota awareness of Turkish adults is associated with plant-based dietary patterns

Abstract

Purpose- Knowledge of microbiota and how it affects health can lead individuals to healthier lifestyle choices, such as dietary choices. The purpose of this study was to assess microbiota awareness and investigate its impact on plant-based dietary patterns, which are known to have proven benefits for both the environment and human health. In this study, the authors hypothesized that the microbiota awareness of Turkish adults may affect plant-based dietary patterns. Design/methodology/approach- A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,676 adults (63.8% women; 27.8 +/- 13.0 years) in Turkey between March and May 2023. Data were collected using an online questionnaire that included demographic variables, anthropometric measurements, a validated microbiota awareness scale (64.7 +/- 16.8) and a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). A plant-based diet index (PDI), a healthy plant-based diet index (hPDI) and an unhealthy plant-based diet index (uPDI) were derived from dietary assessments by a validated semi-quantitative FFQ. Findings- Females had significantly higher microbiota awareness scores than males (67.3 +/- 15.7 vs 60.1 +/- 17.7, p = 0.001). Microbiota awareness scores of individuals in the second tertile (65.9 +/- 15.9) were significantly higher than those in the third tertile of uPDI (59.3 +/- 17.9) (p < 0.05). For PDI and hPDI scores, microbiota awareness scores of individuals in the first tertile were significantly lower than in the third tertile. Multivariate linear regression analyses revealed that microbiota awareness was an independent predictor for PDI (beta = 0.035, p = 0.002), hPDI (beta = 0.141, p = 0.001) and uPDI (beta = -0.158, p < 0.001). Originality/value- Considering that awareness of microbiota may result in shifting lifestyle choices such as dietary patterns, further studies are needed to determine the relationship between microbiota awareness and PDI.