title: Determinants of nutrition knowledge in young and middle-aged Belgian women and the association with their dietary behaviour.
abstract: The present study investigated the role of socio-demographic and lifestyle determinants on the nutrition knowledge of Belgian women and the association between their knowledge and dietary behaviour. A total of 803 women, aged 18-39 years, were included in a cross-sectional study and completed a general and nutrition knowledge questionnaire and a 2-day food record. Their height and weight were measured under standardised conditions. Linear regression models showed independent significant associations between the following determinants and the women's nutrition knowledge (in order of importance): educational level, age, kind of occupation, smoking behaviour, and work status. Inconsistent or no associations were found for body mass index, physical activity, living situation, and whether or not they had children. The investigated determinants accounted for 13-14.5% of variance in total nutrition knowledge. A rise in nutrition knowledge was associated with a significant rise in consumption of vegetables and fruit, but no differences were seen for other dietary indicators. Most important determinants of the women's nutrition knowledge were educational level, age and their kind of occupation. Women who had better knowledge of nutrition also exhibited better dietary behaviour, thus underlying the importance of nutrition education for improving dietary behaviour.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, UZ - 2 Blok A, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: Tineke.devriendt@ugent.be.
authors.forename: Tineke
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: De Vriendt
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, UZ - 2 Blok A, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University, Private Bag 102904, North Shore Mail Centre, Auckland, New Zealand. Electronic address: christophe.matthys@ugent.be.
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Matthys
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: Wim.Verbeke@UGent.be.
authors.forename: Wim
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Verbeke
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, UZ - 2 Blok A, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Ilse
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pynaert
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, UZ - 2 Blok A, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Health Sciences, Vesalius, Hogeschool Gent, Keramiekstraat 80, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: stefaan.dehenauw@ugent.be.
authors.forename: Stefaan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Henauw
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001530:Belgium; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000592:standards*; D015930:Diet Records; D004522:Educational Status; D004651:Employment; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016014:Linear Models; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult