Researchers studied over 6,000 Turkish adults to understand how eating habits and food knowledge affect the risk of developing metabolic syndrome (a group of health problems) and diabetes. They found that people who followed a Mediterranean diet (lots of vegetables, fish, and olive oil), practiced sustainable eating habits, and had good food literacy (understanding how to make healthy food choices) had significantly lower risks of these diseases. The study suggests that learning about food and making thoughtful eating choices may be one of the most powerful ways to prevent diabetes.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether eating a Mediterranean diet, practicing sustainable eating habits, and understanding food nutrition could help prevent metabolic syndrome and diabetes in adults
  • Who participated: 6,364 healthy Turkish adults who completed questionnaires about their eating habits and food knowledge
  • Key finding: Adults with strong food knowledge and sustainable eating habits had significantly lower risks of metabolic syndrome and diabetes. Food literacy (understanding nutrition) was the strongest predictor of lower diabetes risk.
  • What it means for you: Learning about nutrition and making conscious food choices may be one of the most effective ways to prevent serious health conditions. This suggests that nutrition education could be as important as the diet itself.

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, meaning researchers looked at a large group of people at one point in time and measured their eating habits, food knowledge, and health status simultaneously. Participants completed several questionnaires: one about sustainable eating behaviors, one about their understanding of food and nutrition, one about how closely they followed a Mediterranean diet, and one that assessed their risk for metabolic syndrome and diabetes. The researchers then analyzed whether people with better eating habits and food knowledge had lower disease risks.

The study used established, validated assessment tools that have been used in previous research. This approach allowed the researchers to look at relationships between multiple factors (diet, food knowledge, eating behaviors) and disease risk all at once, rather than following people over time.

Understanding which factors most strongly predict disease risk helps doctors and public health experts know where to focus prevention efforts. If food knowledge is more important than diet alone, it suggests that teaching people about nutrition might be more effective than just recommending specific foods. This research approach captures real-world eating patterns and knowledge in a large, diverse population.

The study included a large sample size (over 6,000 participants), which makes the findings more reliable. The researchers used multiple validated measurement tools rather than creating their own, which strengthens confidence in the results. However, because this was a snapshot in time rather than following people over years, we cannot be completely certain that food knowledge prevents disease—only that they are associated. The study was conducted in Turkey, so results may not apply equally to all populations.

What the Results Show

The study found that most participants (62.6%) had low diabetes risk, while about half had moderate metabolic syndrome risk and one-fifth had high risk. People who closely followed a Mediterranean diet had significantly lower metabolic syndrome scores compared to those who followed it moderately or poorly. Similarly, people with sustainable eating behaviors and strong food literacy had much lower disease risk scores.

The most striking finding was about food literacy—understanding nutrition and how to make healthy food choices was the strongest predictor of lower diabetes risk. This was even more important than following a specific diet pattern. Participants with high food literacy had substantially lower diabetes risk scores compared to those with low food literacy.

All three factors studied (Mediterranean diet, sustainable eating behaviors, and food literacy) independently predicted lower metabolic syndrome risk. When combined, these factors appeared to work together to reduce disease risk.

The study found that sustainable eating behaviors (like choosing foods thoughtfully and considering environmental impact) also significantly reduced metabolic syndrome risk. The Mediterranean diet showed consistent protective effects across different measurements of metabolic syndrome. The findings suggest that the way people think about food and their knowledge of nutrition may be just as important as what they actually eat.

Previous research has shown that Mediterranean diets reduce disease risk, and this study confirms that finding in a Turkish population. However, this research adds new insight by showing that food literacy and sustainable eating behaviors may be equally or even more important than the specific diet pattern. This suggests that future prevention programs should emphasize nutrition education and food knowledge, not just dietary recommendations.

Because this study looked at people at one point in time, we cannot prove that food knowledge prevents disease—only that they occur together. People who chose to answer the questionnaires may be different from those who didn’t. The study was conducted in Turkey, so results may not apply to other countries with different food cultures. The study measured risk scores rather than actual disease diagnosis, so we don’t know if these associations translate to real disease prevention.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, adults should consider: (1) Learning about nutrition and food—understanding what makes food healthy is important, (2) Following a Mediterranean-style diet with vegetables, fish, whole grains, and olive oil, (3) Thinking consciously about food choices and eating sustainably. These changes appear to significantly reduce disease risk. Confidence level: Moderate—the findings are strong but based on one-time measurements rather than long-term follow-up.

Anyone concerned about preventing metabolic syndrome or diabetes should pay attention to this research. It’s especially relevant for people with family history of diabetes or those showing early warning signs. Healthcare providers should consider emphasizing nutrition education alongside dietary recommendations. This research may be less applicable to people with very different food cultures or limited access to Mediterranean diet foods.

Changes in disease risk markers may begin to appear within weeks to months of improving eating habits and food knowledge, though significant health benefits typically take 3-6 months to become measurable. Long-term benefits require sustained changes over years.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily food literacy learning: Log one nutrition fact learned per day and rate your food choices on a 1-10 scale for ’thoughtfulness’ (how much you considered nutrition before eating). Also track Mediterranean diet adherence by counting servings of vegetables, fish, and whole grains daily.
  • Use the app to set a weekly nutrition learning goal (read one article about healthy eating, watch one nutrition video, or learn about one new healthy food). Create a simple checklist of Mediterranean diet foods to include in meals each week. Log when you make a ‘conscious food choice’ to build awareness.
  • Monthly, review your nutrition knowledge growth and food choice patterns. Track changes in energy levels and how you feel as indirect indicators of improved eating habits. If possible, work with a healthcare provider to monitor actual metabolic markers (cholesterol, blood sugar) every 3-6 months to see if dietary improvements translate to measurable health changes.

This research suggests associations between food knowledge, eating habits, and disease risk, but does not prove cause-and-effect. Individual results vary based on genetics, overall lifestyle, and other health factors. This information is educational and should not replace personalized medical advice. Anyone concerned about metabolic syndrome or diabetes risk should consult with their healthcare provider before making significant dietary changes, especially if they have existing health conditions or take medications. This study was conducted in a Turkish population; applicability to other groups may vary.