Researchers in Turkey studied 495 college students to see if understanding nutrition information helps people make better food choices for their health and the environment. They found that students who knew more about reading food labels and understanding nutrition were more likely to eat in ways that were both healthy for them and better for the planet. The study suggests that teaching people about nutrition and sustainable eating could be an important way to improve both personal health and environmental protection.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Does knowing how to read and understand nutrition information help people eat in ways that are healthy for themselves and better for the environment?
  • Who participated: 495 college students in Turkey, averaging 19 years old, with normal to slightly overweight body weights on average
  • Key finding: Students who scored higher on nutrition knowledge tests were significantly more likely to eat sustainably and healthily. For every point increase in nutrition knowledge, sustainable eating behaviors increased by about 0.7 points on the measurement scale.
  • What it means for you: Learning to understand nutrition labels and food information may help you make choices that are better for your own health and the environment. This suggests that nutrition education programs could be valuable, though this study shows a connection rather than proving one causes the other.

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers looked at a group of people at one point in time rather than following them over months or years. The 495 college students completed three questionnaires: one about their eating habits and body measurements, one specifically designed to measure how well they understand nutrition information (called the e-Healthy Diet Literacy Questionnaire), and one that measured how sustainably and healthily they eat (the Sustainable and Healthy Eating Behaviors Scale). The researchers then analyzed whether students with better nutrition knowledge also had healthier and more sustainable eating patterns.

This type of study is useful for finding connections between two things, but it cannot prove that one causes the other. Think of it like noticing that people who wear glasses tend to read more books—the glasses don’t cause reading, but there’s a connection worth exploring.

Understanding how nutrition knowledge connects to actual eating behaviors is important because it helps educators and health professionals design better programs. If knowing about nutrition really does help people eat better, then investing in nutrition education could improve both individual health and environmental sustainability. This study was conducted in Turkey, which is important because eating habits and food systems vary by country.

This study has some strengths: it used validated questionnaires (tools that have been tested and proven reliable), included a reasonable sample size of 495 students, and measured multiple related outcomes. However, the study only looked at college students in one country at one point in time, so results may not apply to older adults, younger teens, or people in other countries. The connection found between nutrition knowledge and eating behaviors was modest (explaining only about 2% of the variation), suggesting other factors also play important roles. Because this is cross-sectional, we cannot determine whether nutrition knowledge leads to better eating or whether people who already eat well are more motivated to learn about nutrition.

What the Results Show

Students who scored higher on the nutrition knowledge test were significantly more likely to eat in sustainable and healthy ways. Specifically, for every one-point increase in nutrition knowledge scores, sustainable eating behaviors increased by about 0.7 points. This relationship was statistically significant, meaning it’s unlikely to have happened by chance.

The study also found that nutrition knowledge was connected to several specific healthy eating behaviors, including eating more plant-based foods, choosing locally-sourced foods, reducing food waste, and being mindful about food choices. Each of these connections was statistically significant.

The researchers measured body weight and found that the average student had a healthy weight (BMI of 22.4, which is in the normal range). This suggests the sample was relatively healthy overall, though this doesn’t tell us whether nutrition knowledge affected their weight.

The study found that nutrition knowledge was connected to multiple aspects of sustainable eating, not just one behavior. This suggests that people who understand nutrition tend to think more broadly about food choices—considering both personal health and environmental impact. The fact that the connection held across different types of sustainable behaviors (plant-based eating, local food, reducing waste, mindful choices) strengthens the finding.

This research builds on previous studies showing that nutrition education can influence eating behaviors. However, most previous research focused on either health benefits or environmental sustainability separately. This study is notable because it examined both together, recognizing that healthy eating and sustainable eating often overlap. The findings align with growing evidence that educating people about nutrition can be an effective public health strategy.

The study only included college students in Turkey, so results may not apply to other age groups or countries with different food systems and cultures. The connection between nutrition knowledge and eating behaviors was modest, explaining only about 2% of why people eat the way they do—meaning many other factors matter too. Because the study was done at one point in time, we cannot prove that learning about nutrition causes people to eat better; it’s possible that people who already eat well are more interested in learning about nutrition. The study relied on self-reported information about eating habits, which may not be completely accurate. Finally, the study did not include information about income, education level, or access to healthy foods, which are known to influence eating choices.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, nutrition education programs appear promising for promoting both healthy and sustainable eating (moderate confidence level). Schools and universities should consider integrating nutrition literacy into their curricula. Public health programs might benefit from teaching people how to read nutrition labels and understand the environmental impact of food choices. However, education alone is unlikely to be enough—programs should also address barriers like food cost and availability (low to moderate confidence that education alone will solve these issues).

College students and young adults should care about this research because it suggests that learning about nutrition can help them make better choices. Parents and educators should care because it supports the value of nutrition education. Environmental advocates should care because it shows a connection between nutrition knowledge and sustainable eating. People with chronic diseases related to diet should care because better nutrition knowledge may help them manage their health. However, people with limited access to healthy foods should know that education alone won’t solve their challenges—they also need access and affordability.

Changes in eating behavior typically take weeks to months to become habits. You might notice small changes in food choices within 1-2 weeks of learning about nutrition, but significant changes in eating patterns usually take 4-8 weeks to develop. Long-term sustainability of new eating habits often requires ongoing support and education.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your nutrition knowledge growth by logging one new nutrition fact you learn each week, then note which foods you chose based on that knowledge. For example: ‘Learned that plant-based proteins reduce environmental impact—chose lentil soup for lunch.’
  • Use the app to set a weekly goal like ‘Read nutrition labels on 3 new foods’ or ‘Choose one locally-sourced food item.’ Start with one small change rather than trying to overhaul your entire diet at once.
  • Create a simple weekly check-in where you rate your sustainable eating behaviors (1-10 scale) and track which nutrition facts you’ve learned. Over months, you should see patterns in how your knowledge connects to your actual food choices. Use the app’s reminder feature to review nutrition information before grocery shopping.

This research shows a connection between nutrition knowledge and sustainable eating in college students, but does not prove that learning about nutrition will change your eating habits. Individual results vary based on many factors including access to healthy foods, personal preferences, cultural background, and economic circumstances. Before making significant changes to your diet, especially if you have health conditions or take medications, consult with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian. This study was conducted in Turkey and may not apply to all populations or countries. The findings suggest nutrition education is valuable but should be combined with other approaches like improving food access and affordability for maximum effectiveness.