Associations of nutrition literacy and Mediterranean diet adherence with healthy nutrition attitudes among young adults: a cross-sectional study

Gizem Özata Uyar; Serkan Aslan; Gaye Nur Şimşek; Burcu Deniz Güneş

Associations of nutrition literacy and Mediterranean diet adherence with healthy nutrition attitudes among young adults: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Aims: Nutrition literacy and attitudes toward healthy nutrition are increasingly recognized as factors associated with dietary behavior, including adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD). However, studies examining these three constructs together, particularly among young adults, remain limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between adherence to the MD, nutrition literacy, and healthy nutrition attitudes, and to identify the factors independently associated with healthy nutrition attitudes. Methods: A total of 296 young adults (aged 18-30 years) participated in this cross-sectional study and were recruited through convenience sampling from Erzurum and Kırıkkale, two provinces in Turkiye. Data were collected using face-to-face questionnaires, including the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS), The Short Form of the Nutrition Literacy Scale for Young Adults (S-NutLit), and the Attitude Scale for Healthy Nutrition (ASHN). The statistical evaluation of the data was carried out using parametric and nonparametric tests, Chi-square tests, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: Of the participants, 62.8% had acceptable adherence to the MD, and 63.5% self-reported ≥150 minutes of physical activity per week. Male participants had significantly higher total ASHN and positive nutrition (PN) subscale scores than females (p=0.014 and p=0.004, respectively). The S-NutLit score correlated positively with both MEDAS (p<0.01) and ASHN (p<0.001) scores. In multiple linear regression analysis, S-NutLit showed the strongest independent association with ASHN scores (β=0.384, p<0.001), followed by physical activity (β=0.129, p=0.020), whereas age, gender, BMI, and MEDAS scores were not significantly associated with ASHN scores. Conclusion: Nutrition literacy and physical activity were independently associated with healthier nutrition attitudes among young adults, highlighting their relevance in the context of nutrition-related health promotion.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

None.

Ethical Statement

Ethics Committee Approval: Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee of ................ University (Meeting No. 05; Decision No. 2026-ETÜ-0135).

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Public Health Nutrition

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Gizem Özata Uyar ^*
0000-0002-9022-6956
Türkiye

Serkan Aslan
0000-0002-5834-5074
Türkiye

Gaye Nur Şimşek
0009-0005-8061-1921
Türkiye

Burcu Deniz Güneş
0000-0002-8421-4334
Türkiye

Publication Date

October 25, 2026

Submission Date

July 29, 2026

Acceptance Date

September 16, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 7 Number: 5

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA26PF93YT

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Özata Uyar, G., Aslan, S., Şimşek, G. N., & Deniz Güneş, B. (2026). Associations of nutrition literacy and Mediterranean diet adherence with healthy nutrition attitudes among young adults: a cross-sectional study. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, 7(5), 1046-1053. https://izlik.org/JA26PF93YT

AMA

1.Özata Uyar G, Aslan S, Şimşek GN, Deniz Güneş B. Associations of nutrition literacy and Mediterranean diet adherence with healthy nutrition attitudes among young adults: a cross-sectional study. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2026;7(5):1046-1053. https://izlik.org/JA26PF93YT

Chicago

Özata Uyar, Gizem, Serkan Aslan, Gaye Nur Şimşek, and Burcu Deniz Güneş. 2026. “Associations of Nutrition Literacy and Mediterranean Diet Adherence With Healthy Nutrition Attitudes Among Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7 (5): 1046-53. https://izlik.org/JA26PF93YT.

EndNote

Özata Uyar G, Aslan S, Şimşek GN, Deniz Güneş B (October 1, 2026) Associations of nutrition literacy and Mediterranean diet adherence with healthy nutrition attitudes among young adults: a cross-sectional study. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7 5 1046–1053.

IEEE

[1]G. Özata Uyar, S. Aslan, G. N. Şimşek, and B. Deniz Güneş, “Associations of nutrition literacy and Mediterranean diet adherence with healthy nutrition attitudes among young adults: a cross-sectional study”, J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac, vol. 7, no. 5, pp. 1046–1053, Oct. 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA26PF93YT

ISNAD

Özata Uyar, Gizem - Aslan, Serkan - Şimşek, Gaye Nur - Deniz Güneş, Burcu. “Associations of Nutrition Literacy and Mediterranean Diet Adherence With Healthy Nutrition Attitudes Among Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7/5 (October 1, 2026): 1046-1053. https://izlik.org/JA26PF93YT.

JAMA

1.Özata Uyar G, Aslan S, Şimşek GN, Deniz Güneş B. Associations of nutrition literacy and Mediterranean diet adherence with healthy nutrition attitudes among young adults: a cross-sectional study. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2026;7:1046–1053.

MLA

Özata Uyar, Gizem, et al. “Associations of Nutrition Literacy and Mediterranean Diet Adherence With Healthy Nutrition Attitudes Among Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, vol. 7, no. 5, Oct. 2026, pp. 1046-53, https://izlik.org/JA26PF93YT.

Vancouver

1.Gizem Özata Uyar, Serkan Aslan, Gaye Nur Şimşek, Burcu Deniz Güneş. Associations of nutrition literacy and Mediterranean diet adherence with healthy nutrition attitudes among young adults: a cross-sectional study. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac [Internet]. 2026 Oct. 1;7(5):1046-53. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA26PF93YT