A study of over 2,200 adults in China found that people with higher incomes and more education tend to eat a wider variety of foods. The research discovered that understanding nutrition—knowing which foods are healthy and why—plays an important role in this connection. When people learn more about nutrition, they make better food choices regardless of their income level. This suggests that teaching people about healthy eating might help reduce health differences between rich and poor communities.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether understanding nutrition helps explain why wealthier, more educated people eat more varied diets
  • Who participated: 2,208 adults aged 18 and older living in Bengbu, China, from different income and education backgrounds
  • Key finding: People with better nutrition knowledge ate significantly more diverse foods. Nutrition knowledge explained about 40-50% of why wealthier people eat better—meaning it’s a major reason, but not the only one
  • What it means for you: Learning about nutrition and healthy eating may help anyone improve their diet, regardless of income. This suggests nutrition education programs could be an effective way to help reduce health inequalities

The Research Details

Researchers surveyed 2,208 adults in a Chinese city, asking them about their income, education level, and what foods they ate. They also gave people a quiz to measure their nutrition knowledge—understanding things like which foods are nutritious and why balanced eating matters. The researchers then used statistical methods to see how these three things connected to each other: income/education, nutrition knowledge, and diet variety.

This type of study is called ‘cross-sectional,’ which means researchers collected all the information at one point in time, like taking a snapshot. It’s useful for finding connections between things, but it can’t prove that one thing directly causes another.

Understanding whether nutrition knowledge is the link between wealth and healthy eating is important because it suggests a solution. If money is the only barrier, it’s hard to fix. But if lack of knowledge is part of the problem, education programs could help people eat better even without more money.

The study included a large number of people (over 2,200), which makes the results more reliable. The researchers used validated tools to measure nutrition knowledge and diet variety, meaning these tools have been tested and proven to work. However, because this is a snapshot study, we can’t be completely certain about cause-and-effect relationships. Also, the study was done in one Chinese city, so results might be different in other places or countries.

What the Results Show

The study found clear differences in diet variety based on income and education. Adults with higher education ate significantly more diverse foods compared to those with less education. Similarly, people earning more money ate a wider variety of foods than those earning less.

Most importantly, nutrition knowledge was the key connection between these wealth/education differences and diet variety. When researchers measured how much nutrition knowledge people had, it explained a large portion of why wealthier, more educated people ate better. This means that understanding nutrition is one of the main reasons wealthy people have more diverse diets.

The study showed that nutrition knowledge had a strong, measurable effect on food choices. People with better nutrition understanding chose more varied foods, and this relationship was consistent across different income and education groups.

The research confirmed that both education level and monthly income independently affected diet variety—they weren’t just measuring the same thing. This suggests that both having more schooling and earning more money contribute to eating better, possibly through different pathways. The findings also indicate that nutrition knowledge is teachable and changeable, not just something that comes automatically with wealth.

Previous research has shown that wealthier people tend to eat healthier diets, but scientists weren’t sure why. This study adds important information by identifying nutrition knowledge as a major explanation. Other studies have shown that education helps with health, and this research supports that idea specifically for nutrition and food choices.

The study only looked at one city in China, so results might not apply to other regions or countries with different food systems and cultures. Because researchers collected all information at one time, they can’t prove that better nutrition knowledge causes people to eat better—only that they’re connected. The study relied on people remembering and reporting what they ate, which isn’t always perfectly accurate. Additionally, the research measured nutrition knowledge with a quiz, which might not capture all the ways people understand nutrition in real life.

The Bottom Line

Nutrition education programs should be a priority, especially for people with lower incomes and less formal education. These programs appear to be a practical way to help people eat more varied, healthier diets. Schools, community centers, and health clinics could offer simple, clear information about choosing diverse foods. Confidence level: Moderate—the research strongly suggests this would help, but more studies are needed to prove it works in practice.

This matters for public health officials, educators, and community health workers who want to reduce health inequalities. It’s relevant for anyone interested in improving nutrition in lower-income communities. People with limited income or education may especially benefit from nutrition education. This doesn’t mean wealthy, educated people don’t need nutrition help—everyone can improve their diet knowledge.

Changes in eating habits typically take several weeks to months to develop. People might start making different food choices within 2-4 weeks of learning about nutrition, but establishing lasting habits usually takes 2-3 months or longer.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track the number of different food groups eaten each day (vegetables, fruits, grains, proteins, dairy). Aim to increase from current baseline by one food group per week until reaching 5-6 different groups daily.
  • Use the app to learn one new nutrition fact each day and identify one new food to try from a different food group. Set a weekly goal to cook or eat one new healthy recipe.
  • Weekly check-ins to review dietary diversity score and nutrition knowledge quiz results. Monthly progress reviews comparing food variety to previous months, with reminders about nutrition facts learned.

This research shows a connection between nutrition knowledge and eating diverse foods, but it cannot prove that nutrition education alone will solve health inequalities. Individual results may vary based on many factors including access to affordable healthy foods, cultural preferences, and personal circumstances. Before making significant changes to your diet, consult with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian, especially if you have existing health conditions or take medications. This study was conducted in China and may not directly apply to all populations or regions.