Food-liking patterns are associated with nutrition knowledge among children aged 7–9 years: a nationwide cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective To examine the association between nutrition knowledge (NK) and food liking (FL) among children aged 7–9 years. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted within the Junior-Edu-Żywienie (JEŻ) Project in Poland and included 14,548 first- to third-grade students. Children completed questionnaires assessing basic nutrition knowledge and liking of selected foods. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to derive food-liking patterns, and General Linear Model (GLM) was performed to examine their associations with NK. Results All food-liking patterns significantly predicted NK, with the strongest positive associations found for “less commonly liked recommended foods” (B = 4.171) and “fruit, vegetables, water & juices” (B = 3.379). Conversely, greater liking of “sugar-sweetened beverages” (B = −1.268) and “energy-dense discretionary foods” (B = −0.832) was associated with significantly lower NK scores. School grade, place of residence, and interest in nutrition-related topics were also independently associated with NK. Conclusion Food-liking patterns are significantly associated with NK in early school-aged children. Identifying specific knowledge gaps and food preferences provides a valuable foundation for prospective research. Future longitudinal and intervention studies are needed to evaluate whether integrated school- and family-based education, combined with experiential learning (e.g., nutritional, culinary workshops), can effectively enhance children’s NK, promote healthier food choices, and ultimately improve dietary behaviors and nutritional status.