University Students’ Nutrition Knowledge and its Association with Mediterranean Diet Adherence

Meryem Elif Öztürk

doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1576968

Research Article

Year 2025, Volume: 16 Issue: 4, 614 - 622, 01.10.2025

Meryem Elif Öztürk

https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1576968

Abstract

Project Number

herhangi bir proje tarafından desteklenmemiştir

References

1. Yardimci H, Özçelik AÖ. Üniversite Öğrencilerinin Öğün Düzenleri ve Beslenme Eğitiminin Beslenme Bilgisine Etkisi. J Nutr Diet. 2015;43:19-26.
2. Atasoy S, Güngör AE. Üniversite Öğrencilerinin Beslenme Bilgi Düzeyi ve Obezite Durumunun Değerlendirilmesi. TJFMPC. 2022;16:340-349. doi:10.21763/tjfmpc.1020845
3. Alsaffar AA. Validation of a general nutrition knowledge questionnaire in a Turkish student sample. Public Health Nutr. 2012;15:2074-2085. doi:10.1017/s1368980011003594
4. Wu J, Yu W, Xu Z, Chen Y, Li J, Sun Q. Dietary Knowledge, Attitude, Practice Survey and Nutritional Knowledge-Based Intervention: A Cross-Sectional and Randomized Controlled Trial Study among College Undergraduates in China. Nutr. 2024; 16(14):2365. https:// doi.org/10.3390/nu1614236
5. Serra-Majem L, Ribas L, Ngo J, et al. Food, youth and the Mediterranean diet in Spain. Development of KIDMED, Mediterranean Diet Quality Index in children and adolescents. Public Health Nutr. 2004;7:931-35. doi:10.1079/phn2004556
6. Ülker H. Evaluation of the nutritional knowledge levels of Pamukkale University students. (Master thesis). Denizli, Pamukkale University 2021.
7. Şahin Bayram S. Evaluation of diet quality and nutrition knowledge levels of university students. (Master Thesis). Konya, Selçuk University 2019.
8. Parmenter K, Wardle J. Development of a general nutrition knowledge questionnaire for adults. Eur. J. Clin. Nutr.1999;53:298- 308. doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1600726
9. Şahingöz SA, Özgen L, Yalçın E. Akdeniz Diyet Kalitesi Ölçeğinin (Mediterranean Diet Quality-KIDMED) Geçerlik ve Güvenirlik Çalışması. In: Proceedings Book of 5th International Eurasian Congress on Natural Nutrition, Healthy Life & Sport, Malatya Turgut Ozal University Scientific Publication, 2019, p. 1078-88.
10. Mumena WA, Alamri AA, Mahrous AA, et al. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward added sugar consumption among female undergraduate students in Madinah, Saudi Arabia: A crosssectional study. Nutrition. 2020;79-80:110936. doi:10.1016/j. nut.2020.110936
11. Mumena W, Abdulhakeem F, Jannadi N, et al. Nutrition Education Intervention to Limit Added Sugar Intake among University Female Students. Progr Nutr. 2020;22:e2020038. https://doi.org/10.23751/ pn.v22i3.9764
12. Akkartal Ş. Gazimağusa’da yaşayan 18-64 yaş bireylerin beslenme bilgi düzeyleri ve diyet kalitelerinin değerlendirilmesi. Doğu Akdeniz University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Dietetic, Master Thesis. Gazimağusa, Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti. 2018.
13. Özdemir GŞ. Investigation of the effect of nutritional education on the nutritional habits and nutritional knowledge levels of primary school teachers: an experimental study. Yeditepe University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Dietetic, Master Thesis. İstanbul, Türkiye. 2020.
14. Hashad M, Abou-Taleb M. Introducing a new Egyptian version of the general nutrition knowledge questionnaire (E-GNKQ) for adults: Validity and reliability test. J. Fac. Tour. Hotel Univ. Sadat City. 2021; 5: 173-204. doi: 10.21608/mfth.2021.266159
15. Bataineh MF, Attlee A. Reliability and validity of Arabic version of revised general nutrition knowledge questionnaire on university students. Public Health Nutr. 2020;24:851-860. doi:10.1017/ s1368980020002724
16. Thompson C, Vidgen HA, Gallegos D, et al. Validation of a revised General Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire for Australia. Public Health Nutr. 2020;24:1608-1618. doi:10.1017/s1368980019005135
17. Maiya M, Lakha D, Egdorf R,et al. Effect of Introductory Nutrition Education at the Undergraduate Level on Nutrition Knowledge and Dietary Habits in East Texas Students. Curr. dev. nutr. 2024;8:102477. doi:10.1016/j.cdnut.2024.102477
18. Işgın-Atıcı K, Pekcan AG. Dünden Bugüne Beslenme ve Diyetetik Eğitimi, Beslenme ve Diyetetik Eğitiminin Standardizasyonu. J Nutr Diet. 2023;51:1-6. doi:10.33076/2023.bdd.1804
19. Bolat H. Nutrition knowledge level for grown up individual and evaluation of food neophobia. Bahçeşehir University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Dietetic. Master Thesis, İstanbul, Türkiye. 2021
20. Cheval B, Boisgontier MP. The Theory of Effort Minimization in Physical Activity. Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2021;49:168-178. doi:10.1249/ JES.0000000000000252
21. Uruç B. The effect of individual nutrition education provided to workers at a state university on nutritional knowledge level. Yeditepe University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Dietetic, Master Thesis. İstanbul, Türkiye. 2023
22. Kadıoğlu BU, Işıker E. Sustainable Nutrition, Nutrition Knowledge and Mediterranean Diet Adherence Levels of University Students. JoCReHeS. 2023;13(2): 123-34. doi: 10.26579/jocrehes.13.2.2
23. Abreu F, Hernando A, Goulão LF, et al. Mediterranean diet adherence and nutritional literacy: an observational cross-sectional study of the reality of university students in a COVID-19 pandemic context. BMJ Nutr. Prev. Health. 2023; 6(2): 221-30. doi: 10.1136/ bmjnph-2023-000659
24. Suliga E, Cieśla E, Michel S, et al. Diet quality compared to the nutritional knowledge of polish, german, and slovakian university students—preliminary research. IJERPH. 2020;17(23): 9062. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17239062.
25. Almasi N, Rakıcıoğlu N. Assessing the level of nutrition knowledge and its association with dietary intake in university students. BAUN Sağ Bil Derg. 2021;10(3):274-80. https://doi.org/10.53424/ balikesirsbd.870277
26. Elmskini FZ, Bouh A, Labyad A, et al. Increased nutrition knowledge and adherence to the Mediterranean diet are associated with lower body mass index and better self-rated general health among university students. Nutr Metab. 2024; 35: 200240. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.hnm.2024.200240
27. Aureli V, Rossi L. Nutrition knowledge as a driver of adherence to the Mediterranean diet in Italy. Front. Nutr. 2022; 9: 804865. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2022.804865.
28. Nikołajuk P, Zujko K, Zujko K, Zujko M. Assessment of the knowledge and application of the Mediterranean diet among students of dietetics. Prog Health Sci. 2018; 8: 40-5. https://doi. org/10.5604/01.3001.0012.8320.
29. Pinho MGM, Mackenbach JD, Charreire H, et al. Exploring the relationship between perceived barriers to healthy eating and dietary behaviours in European adults. Eur. J. Nutr. 2017;57:1761- 1770. doi:10.1007/s00394-017-1458-3
30. Swanstrom J. Determining how campus food environment influences eating behaviors utilizing focus groups. J. Undergrad. Res. 2017;15(1): 1-7. Available at: https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/ jur/vol15/iss1/10

University Students’ Nutrition Knowledge and its Association with Mediterranean Diet Adherence

Year 2025, Volume: 16 Issue: 4, 614 - 622, 01.10.2025

Meryem Elif Öztürk

https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1576968

Abstract

Purpose: This study investigated the relationship between university students’ nutritional knowledge and Mediterranean diet adherence.
Methods: The sample comprised 422 university students who had not taken nutrition education before. Data were collected using the General Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire (GNKQ) and the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index-KIDMED questionnaire.
Results: Participants had a median GNKQ score of 61. Nutrition knowledge was not associated with main meal frequency, dieting status, and vitamin mineral supplement intake (p>0.05). Participants who did not add sugar to their tea (main beverage) had a higher GNKQ score than those who did (p<0.05). However, participants who did not adhere to six of the fourteen Mediterranean diet principles had a higher GNKQ score than those who did (p<0.05).
Conclusion: There might be some obstacles that prevent university students from turning their nutrition knowledge into eating behavior. Universities should provide a healthy food environment and make healthy foods available and affordable to help students build healthy eating habits. Further multicentered studies are warranted.

Keywords

Eating behavior , Mediterranean diet , Nutrition Knowledge , Students

Project Number

herhangi bir proje tarafından desteklenmemiştir

References

1. Yardimci H, Özçelik AÖ. Üniversite Öğrencilerinin Öğün Düzenleri ve Beslenme Eğitiminin Beslenme Bilgisine Etkisi. J Nutr Diet. 2015;43:19-26.
2. Atasoy S, Güngör AE. Üniversite Öğrencilerinin Beslenme Bilgi Düzeyi ve Obezite Durumunun Değerlendirilmesi. TJFMPC. 2022;16:340-349. doi:10.21763/tjfmpc.1020845
3. Alsaffar AA. Validation of a general nutrition knowledge questionnaire in a Turkish student sample. Public Health Nutr. 2012;15:2074-2085. doi:10.1017/s1368980011003594
4. Wu J, Yu W, Xu Z, Chen Y, Li J, Sun Q. Dietary Knowledge, Attitude, Practice Survey and Nutritional Knowledge-Based Intervention: A Cross-Sectional and Randomized Controlled Trial Study among College Undergraduates in China. Nutr. 2024; 16(14):2365. https:// doi.org/10.3390/nu1614236
5. Serra-Majem L, Ribas L, Ngo J, et al. Food, youth and the Mediterranean diet in Spain. Development of KIDMED, Mediterranean Diet Quality Index in children and adolescents. Public Health Nutr. 2004;7:931-35. doi:10.1079/phn2004556
6. Ülker H. Evaluation of the nutritional knowledge levels of Pamukkale University students. (Master thesis). Denizli, Pamukkale University 2021.
7. Şahin Bayram S. Evaluation of diet quality and nutrition knowledge levels of university students. (Master Thesis). Konya, Selçuk University 2019.
8. Parmenter K, Wardle J. Development of a general nutrition knowledge questionnaire for adults. Eur. J. Clin. Nutr.1999;53:298- 308. doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1600726
9. Şahingöz SA, Özgen L, Yalçın E. Akdeniz Diyet Kalitesi Ölçeğinin (Mediterranean Diet Quality-KIDMED) Geçerlik ve Güvenirlik Çalışması. In: Proceedings Book of 5th International Eurasian Congress on Natural Nutrition, Healthy Life & Sport, Malatya Turgut Ozal University Scientific Publication, 2019, p. 1078-88.
10. Mumena WA, Alamri AA, Mahrous AA, et al. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward added sugar consumption among female undergraduate students in Madinah, Saudi Arabia: A crosssectional study. Nutrition. 2020;79-80:110936. doi:10.1016/j. nut.2020.110936
11. Mumena W, Abdulhakeem F, Jannadi N, et al. Nutrition Education Intervention to Limit Added Sugar Intake among University Female Students. Progr Nutr. 2020;22:e2020038. https://doi.org/10.23751/ pn.v22i3.9764
12. Akkartal Ş. Gazimağusa’da yaşayan 18-64 yaş bireylerin beslenme bilgi düzeyleri ve diyet kalitelerinin değerlendirilmesi. Doğu Akdeniz University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Dietetic, Master Thesis. Gazimağusa, Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti. 2018.
13. Özdemir GŞ. Investigation of the effect of nutritional education on the nutritional habits and nutritional knowledge levels of primary school teachers: an experimental study. Yeditepe University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Dietetic, Master Thesis. İstanbul, Türkiye. 2020.
14. Hashad M, Abou-Taleb M. Introducing a new Egyptian version of the general nutrition knowledge questionnaire (E-GNKQ) for adults: Validity and reliability test. J. Fac. Tour. Hotel Univ. Sadat City. 2021; 5: 173-204. doi: 10.21608/mfth.2021.266159
15. Bataineh MF, Attlee A. Reliability and validity of Arabic version of revised general nutrition knowledge questionnaire on university students. Public Health Nutr. 2020;24:851-860. doi:10.1017/ s1368980020002724
16. Thompson C, Vidgen HA, Gallegos D, et al. Validation of a revised General Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire for Australia. Public Health Nutr. 2020;24:1608-1618. doi:10.1017/s1368980019005135
17. Maiya M, Lakha D, Egdorf R,et al. Effect of Introductory Nutrition Education at the Undergraduate Level on Nutrition Knowledge and Dietary Habits in East Texas Students. Curr. dev. nutr. 2024;8:102477. doi:10.1016/j.cdnut.2024.102477
18. Işgın-Atıcı K, Pekcan AG. Dünden Bugüne Beslenme ve Diyetetik Eğitimi, Beslenme ve Diyetetik Eğitiminin Standardizasyonu. J Nutr Diet. 2023;51:1-6. doi:10.33076/2023.bdd.1804
19. Bolat H. Nutrition knowledge level for grown up individual and evaluation of food neophobia. Bahçeşehir University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Dietetic. Master Thesis, İstanbul, Türkiye. 2021
20. Cheval B, Boisgontier MP. The Theory of Effort Minimization in Physical Activity. Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2021;49:168-178. doi:10.1249/ JES.0000000000000252
21. Uruç B. The effect of individual nutrition education provided to workers at a state university on nutritional knowledge level. Yeditepe University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Dietetic, Master Thesis. İstanbul, Türkiye. 2023
22. Kadıoğlu BU, Işıker E. Sustainable Nutrition, Nutrition Knowledge and Mediterranean Diet Adherence Levels of University Students. JoCReHeS. 2023;13(2): 123-34. doi: 10.26579/jocrehes.13.2.2
23. Abreu F, Hernando A, Goulão LF, et al. Mediterranean diet adherence and nutritional literacy: an observational cross-sectional study of the reality of university students in a COVID-19 pandemic context. BMJ Nutr. Prev. Health. 2023; 6(2): 221-30. doi: 10.1136/ bmjnph-2023-000659
24. Suliga E, Cieśla E, Michel S, et al. Diet quality compared to the nutritional knowledge of polish, german, and slovakian university students—preliminary research. IJERPH. 2020;17(23): 9062. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17239062.
25. Almasi N, Rakıcıoğlu N. Assessing the level of nutrition knowledge and its association with dietary intake in university students. BAUN Sağ Bil Derg. 2021;10(3):274-80. https://doi.org/10.53424/ balikesirsbd.870277
26. Elmskini FZ, Bouh A, Labyad A, et al. Increased nutrition knowledge and adherence to the Mediterranean diet are associated with lower body mass index and better self-rated general health among university students. Nutr Metab. 2024; 35: 200240. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.hnm.2024.200240
27. Aureli V, Rossi L. Nutrition knowledge as a driver of adherence to the Mediterranean diet in Italy. Front. Nutr. 2022; 9: 804865. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2022.804865.
28. Nikołajuk P, Zujko K, Zujko K, Zujko M. Assessment of the knowledge and application of the Mediterranean diet among students of dietetics. Prog Health Sci. 2018; 8: 40-5. https://doi. org/10.5604/01.3001.0012.8320.
29. Pinho MGM, Mackenbach JD, Charreire H, et al. Exploring the relationship between perceived barriers to healthy eating and dietary behaviours in European adults. Eur. J. Nutr. 2017;57:1761- 1770. doi:10.1007/s00394-017-1458-3
30. Swanstrom J. Determining how campus food environment influences eating behaviors utilizing focus groups. J. Undergrad. Res. 2017;15(1): 1-7. Available at: https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/ jur/vol15/iss1/10

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Details

Primary Language	English
Subjects	Public Health (Other)
Journal Section	Research Articles
Authors	Meryem Elif Öztürk 0000-0002-2176-374X
Project Number	herhangi bir proje tarafından desteklenmemiştir
Early Pub Date	September 15, 2025
Publication Date	October 1, 2025
Submission Date	October 31, 2024
Acceptance Date	February 5, 2025
Published in Issue	Year 2025 Volume: 16 Issue: 4

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EndNote	Öztürk ME (October 1, 2025) University Students’ Nutrition Knowledge and its Association with Mediterranean Diet Adherence. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 16 4 614–622.

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