An Analysis of Factors Affecting Fish Consumption in a Healthy and Balanced Nutrition

摘要

Background and Objective: Seafood is rich in vitamins has a high biological value and contains a low level of fat. It is an effective source of food for people to have a balanced and healthy nutrition. In this study, the factors affecting fish consumption decisions of people were determined in terms of a healthy and balanced nutrition. Materials and Methods: Interviews were conducted with 380 individuals by using the proportional sampling method at the 95% confidence interval and 5% margin of error. A factor analysis was carried out to determine the behavior and attitudes of individuals affecting their fish consumption in terms of healthy nutrition. Results: In the study, the amount of fish consumption per person was calculated to be 14.32 kg/year. It was found that 68.42% of the fish consumed by the individuals (9.78 kg/person) were sea fish and 31.58% (4.54 kg/person) were freshwater fish. Through the factor analysis , 17 factors that were effective on fish consumption were reduced to 6 main factors that explained 76.369% of the variance. During the factor analysis , the following main factors emerged to be the significant factors in determining consumption decisions for a healthy and balanced nutrition: Healthy Nutrition and Motivation for Life, Nutritional Elements, Cardiovascular Support, Omega-3 Awareness, Consumption Preference and Economic Nutrient. Conclusion: It has been reiterated that fish consumption is essential for healthy and balanced nutrition and that it is important that fish is an economical product as well as being rich in nutrients. Attention should be drawn by experts to the issues that need to be considered when consuming fish as nutrition and studies should be carried out to raise awareness.