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The present study aims to determine the relationship between functional constipation and lifestyle patterns, eating habits and nutritional status in young adults.

This study was conducted in 825 young adults between the age of 20 and 24 years in Ankara. Constipation was evaluated via self-reports and ROMA III criteria. Food and beverage consumption frequency and fluid intake were surveyed, and anthropometric measurements (weight and height) were evaluated. Physical activity was assessed using the brief physical activity assessment tool.

Participants reported themselves as constipated, not constipated and sometimes constipated in 7.8, 39.6 and 53.6 per cent of cases, respectively. These rates differed from those obtained using the ROMA III criteria: constipated 51.3 per cent and not constipated 48.7 per cent. Constipation rates were higher in females (54.4 per cent) than males (44.8 per cent) (p < 0.05). No association was found between daily water, total fluid and fiber intake and constipation (p > 0.05). However, water from foods have lowering effects on constipation (p < 0.05). Increased physical activity seems to have no effect on constipation. According to food frequency records, participants who consumed more whole grains, rice/pasta and vegetables had lower rates of constipation. Conversely, higher consumption of tea was associated with higher constipation rates (p < 0.05).

Young adults should be encouraged to consume foods rich in water such as fruits and vegetables against constipation, fiber-rich foods and fluids to meet the recommendations for healthy eating. Only a few studies have assessed the relationships between lifestyle, fluid and nutritional status and body mass index.

Obesity is a chronic disease and it is very important to determine the underlying factors at the early stage. Disturbance in eating behaviors may predict the obesity risk.

In the present study, it was aimed to investigate eating behavior of Turkish adults by using The Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-R18 (TFEQ-R18) and to analyze the association between anthropometric measurements and socio-demographic factors.

Individuals composed of 698 males, aged 28.6 ± 10.3 years and 1,736 females, aged 25.1 ± 7.8 years. Demographic characteristics participants were obtained via a questionnaire. TFEQ-R18for assessing eating behavior was used. Results claim that the usage of TFEQ-R18 was appropriate for non-obese individuals (Cronbach’s α value 0.83 for underweight group (n = 180, 7.4%), 0.76 for normal group (n = 1604, 65.9%), 0.69 for overweight group (n = 492, 20.2%), 0.69 obese group (n = 158, 6.5%). Gender seems to effect emotional eating scores (p = 0.026) and employment status seem to affect all TFEQ-R18 sub-group dimensions (cognitive eating scores, p = 0.022, uncontrolled eating scores, p < 0.001, emotional eating scores, p < 0.001). Divorced individuals tend to have higher cognitive restraint scores (16.2 ± 3.7). Although, single people have higher emotional eating scores (7.5 ± 2.6) (p = 0.006). There is a positive correlation among waist–height ratio, waist and neck circumference and cognitive restraint and uncontrolled eating scores (p < 0.001). However, body weight and height correlate negatively with cognitive restraint scores (p < 0.001).

According to the authors’ knowledge, this study gives brief results for the usage of TFEQ-R18 and the ability to predict eating behaviors in the general population.