Enhancing Nutrition-Related Literacy, Knowledge and Behavior among University Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Despite the key role of nutrition literacy and behavior in health, evidence suggests a low adherence to healthy nutritional behaviors. We sought to determine the influence of a group-based interactive training program on nutrition-related literacy, knowledge and behavior of students.

Two-hundred and three undergraduate students were enrolled by multi-stage cluster sampling and were randomly divided into two groups of intervention (n=106) and control (n=97). Four questionnaires measured the demographic variables, nutrition-related literacy, knowledge, and behavior. The educational intervention was performed as workshop using a new educational style. 

There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding demographic variables. After educational intervention, a significant increase was found in the mean scores of nutrition literacy from 22.20±3.85 to 31.95±2.19, nutrition knowledge from 54.23±1.80 to 77.06±7.20, and nutritional behavior from 52.32±16.54 to 67.52±19.69 (P<0.001), but no significant difference was observed in the control group. The correlation coefficients significantly increased (from 0.167 to 0.552). 

Our educational pattern was effective in improving nutritional literacy, knowledge and behavior and is recommended for students in their curriculum.