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Trabzon University, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Trabzon, Turkiye
Abstract
This study was designed with a cross-sectional and correlational design to examine the effects of chronotype, gender, and physical activity level on eating behaviors in sports science students. The research was conducted with a total of 204 students (124 male, 80 female) aged 18-24. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Morning-Evening Questionnaire (MEQ), Eating Awareness Scale (EAS-30), and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Statistical analyses were performed using independent samples t-test, chi-square, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation tests. The findings indicated that female students scored significantly higher than males in the emotional eating dimension (p<0,01), whereas male students demonstrated higher performance in eating control (p<0,05). A comparison of chronotype groups revealed that the intermediate type had an advantage over the evening type in emotional eating, eating control, and interference, while the morning type was superior in eating discipline. An increase in physical activity level was associated with a reduction in emotional eating and an enhancement in eating discipline (p=.019). Furthermore, students in the underweight BMI group scored significantly lower on the thoughtless eating and eating control sub-dimensions (p<0,05). In conclusion, the results demonstrate that chronotype, gender, and physical activity have complex and interrelated effects on eating behaviors. The findings underscore the importance of considering these factors in the development of personalized nutrition and lifestyle interventions.
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