Better Nutrition Knowledge = Better Dietary Habits

Seems simple right? Not really, according to a study in the March issue of British Journal of Nutrition, that examined the relationship between nutrition knowledge and dietary intake in adults (mean age equal to or more than 18 years).

The majority of the studies reported significant, positive, associations between higher nutrition knowledge and dietary intake, most often a higher intake of fruit and vegetables. However, study quality ranged widely and participant representation from lower socio-economic status was limited, with most participants being tertiary educated and female. Well-designed studies using validated methodologies are needed to clarify the relationship between nutrition knowledge and dietary intake. Diet quality scores or indices that aim to evaluate compliance to dietary guidelines may be particularly valuable for assessing the relationship between nutrition knowledge and dietary intake. 

The researchers state that nutrition knowledge is an integral component of health literacy and as low health literacy is associated with poor health outcomes, contemporary, high-quality research is needed to inform community nutrition education and public health policy.