Picky eating in adults: Investigating its relationship with MEDFICTS diet assessment questionnaire score and visceral adiposity index

BACKGROUND: Picky eating is defined as “consuming a limited variety of foods, being strict about the preparation and presentation of preferred foods, and being reluctant to try new foods”. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the picky eating behaviours of adults and the “MEDFICTS (Meats, Eggs, Dairy, Frying, Fats in Bakery Products, Prepared Foods, Fats Added at the Table, Snacks) Dietary Assessment Questionnaire” score and “Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI)”. METHODS: In this cross sectional study, data of 580 adults aged between 19–64 years were evaluated. Descriptive Information Form, “Adult Picky Eating Questionnaire (APEQ)”, “MEDFICTS Diet Assessment Questionnaire”, “International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form (IPAQ-SF)” were used to collect data. The VAI score was calculated with the formula using the “Body Mass Index (BMI)”, “Waist Circumference (WC)”, “High Density Lipoprotein (HDL)” and “Triglyceride (TG)” levels. RESULTS: There is a negative relationship between APEQ total score (β:–0.228, p < 0.05), APEQ “Food Presentation” (β:–0.172, p < 0.05) and “Taste Avoidance” (β:–0.117, p < 0.05) subscales and MEDFICTS score. There is a negative relationship between APEQ total score (β:–0.089, p < 0.05), APEQ “Food Presentation” (β:–0.112, p < 0.05) subscales and VAI. CONCLUSIONS: In adults, picky eating behavior is associated with decreased MEDFICTS Diet Assessment Questionnaire score and reductions in VAI.