Determining The Relationship Between The Nutritional Knowledge Level of Adults Aged 18-40 and Their Food Choices and Healthy Eating Attitudes

Abstract

This study examined the associations among nutrition knowledge, attitudes toward healthy nutrition, and food choice motives in adults aged 18–40 years, and evaluated whether attitudes toward healthy nutrition statistically accounted for part of the association between nutrition knowledge and health-oriented food choice. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 615 adults using the Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire, Attitude Scale for Healthy Nutrition, and Food Choice Questionnaire. Mean scores were 14.3 ± 3.2 for nutrition knowledge and 56.7 ± 8.9 for attitudes toward healthy nutrition. Nutrition knowledge was positively correlated with attitudes toward healthy nutrition (r = 0.42, p < 0.001) and health-oriented food choice motives (r = 0.36, p < 0.001). Attitudes toward healthy nutrition were also positively correlated with health-oriented food choice motives (r = 0.49, p < 0.001). Regression analysis showed that nutrition knowledge (β = 0.21, p < 0.001) and attitudes toward healthy nutrition (β = 0.38, p < 0.001) were independently associated with health-oriented food choice motives (R² = 0.28). Mediation analysis indicated a significant indirect effect involving attitudes toward healthy nutrition (indirect effect = 0.21, 95% CI [0.15–0.28]). These findings indicate that nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and food choice motives are interrelated, although causal conclusions cannot be drawn because of the cross-sectional design.