Memic-Inan, CansuSarahman-Kahraman, CerenTopal, IremToptas, Simge2026-01-242026-01-2420250022-51421097-0010https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.14365https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12868/5463BACKGROUNDEco-anxiety is a psychological state that expresses concerns about climate change and is thought to affect individuals' adherence to the Mediterranean diet; however, no study has examined this relationship. This study aimed to examine the relationship between eco-anxiety and adherence to the Mediterranean diet in young adults, one of the age groups most affected by eco-anxiety. RESULTSOf the 736 individuals who participated in the study, 70.5% were female, and the mean age was 20.9 +/- 1.8 years. Higher levels of eco-anxiety were found in females and in those studying in health-related departments (P < 0.05). The eco-anxiety score tends to be higher in individuals with a higher Mediterranean diet adherence scale score (beta = 0.322, 95% CI: 0.129-0.503, P = 0.001) and in those in health-related departments (beta = 4.541, 95% CI: 3.729-5.317, P < 0.001), while it tends to decrease with higher income levels (beta = -0.622, 95% CI: -1.171 to -0.072, P = 0.027). CONCLUS & Idot;ONThe study results indicate that eco-anxiety is not entirely negative. Moderate levels of eco-anxiety may enhance awareness of environmental issues and support adherence to the Mediterranean diet. (c) 2025 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccesseco-anxietyMediterranean dietyoung adultsclimate changeenvironmental issuesArticle10.1002/jsfa.143651051264176423403421602-s2.0-105004687775Q1WOS:001483346200001Q1