title: The effect of nutrition knowledge on dietary intake among Croatian university students.
abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between nutrition knowledge and dietary intakes among university students. The students (264 males and 741 females) were asked to answer a validated General Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire and to fulfil a Food Frequency Questionnaire. Gender, university status (freshmen, juniors, seniors) and eating arrangements (home, restaurants, self-cooking) were used as predictors of the relationship between nutrition knowledge and dietary intake. The findings indicated that women (p = 0.008), senior students (p < 0.001) and those who prepare food for themselves (p = 0.038) have higher nutrition knowledge scores. The assessment of nutrition knowledge had parallels in dietary intake, and adherence to the dietary recommendations was significantly associated with nutrition knowledge scores (p < 0.001). Regression analysis showed differences in daily intakes of grains (p < 0.001), meat and beans group (p < 0.001), vegetables (p < 0.001), fruits (p = 0.002) and oils (p < 0.001) in relation to all predictors. However nutrition knowledge acted as a modifier of the influence of eating arrangements. Logistic regression has shown that students with the highest nutrition knowledge are twelve times more likely to have a diet in accordance to recommendations compared to students with the lowest level of knowledge ([OR] = 12.03, 95% [CI] = 6.64-21.79, p < 0.001). The results support the value of including nutrition knowledge in health education campaigns targeting the student population with the aim of improving their dietary intake.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutrition, Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia. Greta.Kresic@fthm.hr
authors.forename: Greta
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kresić
authors.forename: Gordana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kendel Jovanović
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pavicić Zezel
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Cvijanović
authors.forename: Goran
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ivezić
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017523:Croatia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004034:Diet Surveys; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013334:Students