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Nutrients
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Food Habits, Nutritional Knowledge, and Nutrition Education
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Food Habits, Nutritional Knowledge, and Nutrition Education

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutritional Policies and Education for Health Promotion".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 December 2025 | Viewed by 4157

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Celia Carrillo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Nutrición y Bromatología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Burgos, E-09001 Burgos, Spain
Interests: nutrition; nutrients; digestion; bioactive compounds; bioaccessibility; bioactivity; health-related properties; food science; food habits; food knowledge
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Celia Rodriguez Perez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
Interests: metabolomics; chromatography; mass spectrometry; green extraction techniques; bioactive compounds; phenolic compounds; nutrition; metabolic diseases; cognitive impairment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nutrition is fundamental to ensuring proper development throughout the different stages of life and is closely linked to the health of the population and the risk of disease. A diet characterized by fresh, unprocessed foods with a predominance of plant foods, together with regular physical activity, is associated with the prevention of most of the chronic diseases affecting the population.

Nutritional knowledge is a key factor in achieving healthy eating habits, and nutrition education is the main tool to improve this knowledge in different population groups. 

This Special Issue will include original and review articles assessing dietary habits, nutritional knowledge, and attitudes towards food in different population groups. In addition, studies focusing on nutrition education will also be of interest.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Foods.

Dr. Celia Carrillo
Dr. Celia Rodriguez Perez
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • diet
  • food habits
  • nutritional knowledge
  • nutrition education

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 779 KiB  
Article
Identifying Early Metabolic Risks of Obesity in Mexican Children and Adolescents from a Semi-Rural Community in Mexico: Beyond BMI and into Biochemical and Nutritional Markers
by Nurit Bistre, Sara Guillén-López, Isabel Medina-Vera, Miriam E. Reyna-Fabián, Nancy L. Hernández-Martínez, Lilian Castro-Monroy, René Cerritos-Flores, Ana Karen Arias-Basilio, Diana González-Santiesteban, Cynthia Fernández-Lainez, Marcela Vela-Amieva and Liliana Fernández-Hernández
Nutrients 2025, 17(13), 2195; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17132195 - 30 Jun 2025
Abstract
Background: Childhood and adolescent obesity often coexist with micronutrient deficiencies and metabolic alterations, particularly in marginalized communities. Objectives: This cross-sectional study evaluated the biochemical, anthropometric, and dietary characteristics of 55 children and adolescents (ages 4–13) from Tlaltizapán, Mexico, to identify the early metabolic [...] Read more.
Background: Childhood and adolescent obesity often coexist with micronutrient deficiencies and metabolic alterations, particularly in marginalized communities. Objectives: This cross-sectional study evaluated the biochemical, anthropometric, and dietary characteristics of 55 children and adolescents (ages 4–13) from Tlaltizapán, Mexico, to identify the early metabolic risk factors associated with excess weight. Methods: Nutritional intake was assessed through six-day dietary recalls and analyzed for adequacy against the national reference values. Anthropometric and biochemical indicators—including the BMI-for-age Z-score, waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), lipid profile, and plasma amino acid levels—were stratified by age and weight status. Results: Overall, 36.4% of participants were overweight or obese. Alarmingly, 89.4% of children and 94.1% of adolescents had low HDL levels, regardless of their BMIs. Several participants with a normal BMI showed elevated WHtR, triceps skinfold, and plasma branched-chain amino acids, suggesting hidden metabolic risks. The dietary analysis revealed an excess intake of sugars, proteins, and fats, alongside insufficient fiber, vitamins, and minerals. The adolescents had poorer adherence to dietary recommendations than children. Conclusions: These findings underscore the limitations of BMI alone and support the use of WHtR, skinfolds, and biochemical markers to detect preclinical obesity. Urgent, targeted nutritional strategies are needed in semi-rural areas to address the double burden of obesity and undernutrition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Habits, Nutritional Knowledge, and Nutrition Education)
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13 pages, 233 KiB  
Article
Effects of Personalized Nutrition Education on Lipid Profiles in Chinese Adults: A Medical Student-Implemented Community Intervention Study
by Hongli Wang, Tianyi Shen, Jingming Zhu, Jing Gao, Shaoxian Liang, Wanshui Yang and Zhuang Zhang
Nutrients 2025, 17(13), 2161; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17132161 - 28 Jun 2025
Viewed by 118
Abstract
Background: Dyslipidemia affects over 30% of Chinese adults, with awareness rates below 20%. Promoting nutrition education programs in the general population is important, but few studies have investigated the specific strategies and their efficacy. Methods: This longitudinal study was conducted in a representative [...] Read more.
Background: Dyslipidemia affects over 30% of Chinese adults, with awareness rates below 20%. Promoting nutrition education programs in the general population is important, but few studies have investigated the specific strategies and their efficacy. Methods: This longitudinal study was conducted in a representative sample of community-dwelling adults in Lu’an City, central-eastern China. After recruitment and propensity score matching, the personalized and conventional nutrition education groups included 306 and 612 participants, respectively. We provided standardized nutrition education based on the Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents (2022) for the conventional group, and personalized nutrition advice based on individual food intake and the guidelines for the personalized group. Serum total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipo-protein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TGs) were measured at baseline and again after follow-up. Results: Three years after the intervention, the average levels of TC, LDL-C, and TG in both groups all increased. After adjusting for covariates, an increase in HDL-C was greater in the personalized group than in the convention group, while the increment in TG was less pronounced. LDL-C changes were similar between the groups. The beneficial effect of personalized nutrition education on HDL-C levels was more pronounced in women (pinteraction < 0.05). Similar results were observed among participants with dyslipidemias and after excluding all lipid-lowering medication users. Conclusions: We conducted personalized nutrition education through medical students’ community practice projects among Chinese community residents, revealing that personalized nutrition education based on dietary surveys could significantly improve blood lipid profiles in general residents and individuals with dyslipidemias compared to conventional nutrition education. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Habits, Nutritional Knowledge, and Nutrition Education)
17 pages, 300 KiB  
Article
Creation and Validation of the Brief Healthy Eating Habits Scale (BHEHS-6B, Version 1.0), Based on Harvard’s Healthy Eating Plate, in a Sample of Young, Middle-Aged, and Older Peruvian Adults
by David Javier-Aliaga, Gluder Quispe, José Anicama, Julio Mendigure Fernandez, Keila Miranda-Limachi, Yaquelin E. Calizaya-Milla, Norma Del Carmen Gálvez-Díaz, Luz Antonia Barreto-Espinoza and Jacksaint Saintila
Nutrients 2025, 17(11), 1795; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17111795 - 26 May 2025
Viewed by 730
Abstract
Background. Healthy eating habits are essential for preventing chronic diseases and improving quality of life. However, there is a lack of brief and culturally adapted instruments for accurate assessment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop and validate the Brief Healthy [...] Read more.
Background. Healthy eating habits are essential for preventing chronic diseases and improving quality of life. However, there is a lack of brief and culturally adapted instruments for accurate assessment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop and validate the Brief Healthy Eating Habits Scale (BHEHS-6B, Version 1.0), based on Harvard’s Healthy Eating Plate, in a sample of young, middle-aged, and older Peruvian adults. Methods. The study followed a psychometric design. A non-probabilistic sample of 223 participants (both sexes; mean age = 41.6, SD = 15.8) was drawn from Metropolitan Lima, Peru. The BHEHS-6B (Version 1.0) was administered. Results. The bifactor model confirmed the unidimensional structural validity of the BHEHS-6B, showing acceptable global fit indices (CFI = 0.987, TLI = 0.937, SRMR = 0.025, RMSEA = 0.081) and an adequate hierarchical omega for the general factor (G = 0.638), supporting the use of a single total score. Finally, internal consistency was adequate for the total scale (α = 0.769, ω = 0.780). Conclusions. The BHEHS-6B is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing healthy eating habits, demonstrating evidence of strong content validity, internal consistency, and an adequate factor structure. Moreover, as a brief instrument, it is particularly useful for studies aiming to evaluate multiple variables and for the implementation of public health policies focused on improving community health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Habits, Nutritional Knowledge, and Nutrition Education)
14 pages, 278 KiB  
Article
Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in Mothers and Their Children Aged 4–10 and Its Relationship with Maternal Feeding Practices
by Marzena Jeżewska-Zychowicz, Aleksandra Małachowska and Marta Sajdakowska
Nutrients 2025, 17(6), 941; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17060941 - 7 Mar 2025
Viewed by 973
Abstract
The low intake of fruit and vegetables among the Polish population prompts a search for factors that can be addressed in dietary interventions, such as the family food environment. Background/Objectives: The objective of this study is to explore the link between maternal [...] Read more.
The low intake of fruit and vegetables among the Polish population prompts a search for factors that can be addressed in dietary interventions, such as the family food environment. Background/Objectives: The objective of this study is to explore the link between maternal feeding practices applied to children aged 4–10 years and fruit and vegetable intake among children and their mothers. Methods: A cross-sectional study using a Computer-Assisted Web Interview technique took place in 2020–2021 among 260 Polish women who were mothers of children aged 4–10. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, Spearman’s correlation coefficient, and multiple linear and logistic regression. Results: The mother’s intake of fruit was strongly correlated with the children’s intake of fruit (β = 0.309; p < 0.001), and a similar correlation was found for vegetable intake (β = 0.428; p < 0.001). Apart from the mother’s fruit and vegetable intake, the Food as a Reward practice correlated negatively (β = −0.164; p = 0.015), while Monitoring (β = 0.158; p = 0.017) and Modeling (β = 0.170; p = 0.028) correlated positively with vegetable intake in children. The Monitoring practice correlated positively (β = 0.221; p < 0.001) with children’s fruit intake. After adjusting for the mother’s age, child’s gender, and mother’s recommended intake of fruit and vegetables, the Monitoring practice (OR = 1.971; p = 0.025) positively correlated with meeting the daily recommendations of fruit and vegetables in children. However, the Food as a Reward (OR = 0.484; p = 0.018) and Emotion Regulation (OR = 0.345; p = 0.008) practices negatively correlated with meeting the daily recommendations of fruit and vegetables in children aged 4–6, while the Monitoring practice (OR = 4.141; p = 0.017) correlated positively with meeting the daily recommendations of fruit and vegetables in children aged 7–10. Conclusions: The findings have shown that the mother’s fruit intake strongly correlates with the child’s fruit intake. Moreover, some maternal feeding practices, i.e., the Food as a Reward and Emotion Regulation practices, were negatively associated with meeting fruit and vegetable recommendations in younger children, while the Monitoring practice was positively related to meeting them in older children. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Habits, Nutritional Knowledge, and Nutrition Education)
28 pages, 360 KiB  
Article
Dietary Habits of Pregnant Women in Spain: The Role of Nutrition Education in Midwife Consultations
by M. Josefa Olloqui-Mundet, Marta Palma-Morales, M. Carmen Cantarell-González, M. Mar Cavia, Sara R. Alonso-Torre, Olga Ocón-Hernández, Celia Rodríguez-Pérez and Celia Carrillo
Nutrients 2025, 17(1), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17010120 - 30 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1452
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Correct nutrition during pregnancy is key to guaranteeing success at this stage of a woman’s life, and nutritional education is the fundamental tool for achieving this. Studies carried out in different countries indicate that pregnant women do not comply with [...] Read more.
Background & Objectives: Correct nutrition during pregnancy is key to guaranteeing success at this stage of a woman’s life, and nutritional education is the fundamental tool for achieving this. Studies carried out in different countries indicate that pregnant women do not comply with dietary and nutritional recommendations. Given the lack of evidence available in Spain and the importance of this knowledge to be able to assess the need for nutritional intervention in this group, the aim of this study focused on the current status of the issue in Spain: the quality of the diet of Spanish pregnant women and its conditioning factors. Methods: Two representative regions of the country were selected, one located in the north of Spain (Burgos) and the other in the south (Granada), and a descriptive, cross-sectional observational study (sample size: 771) was carried out using a questionnaire administered at the University Hospital of Burgos and the Hospital Clínico San Cecilio in Granada, which had previously been subjected to a process of evaluation by expert judgement. Results: Pregnant women presented an adequate diet quality (8.0 ± 2.0), according to the questionnaire used, despite their poor knowledge of food and nutrition (4.9 ± 1.6 out of 10). However, deficiencies were detected in the consumption of very interesting food groups from a nutritional point of view, such as legumes, nuts and fish (just 29.4%, 37.6% and 24.8% of the pregnant women met the recommendations, respectively) and insufficient physical exercise. The eating habits of pregnant women depend on their age, their country of origin, their level of education, their pre-pregnancy BMI, the knowledge acquired during pregnancy and the degree to which they put into practice the advice received from their midwife. Most pregnant women do not change their habits during pregnancy, although there are positive trends in this respect. Conclusion: The quality of the diet of the Spanish pregnant women surveyed, and their level of physical activity, could be improved by enhancing the nutritional education they receive during this stage of life. The role of the dietician in this respect, as part of multidisciplinary teams, should be the basis for future research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Habits, Nutritional Knowledge, and Nutrition Education)

Review

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16 pages, 1061 KiB  
Review
Thiamine (Vitamin B1)—An Essential Health Regulator
by Julia Kaźmierczak-Barańska, Krzysztof Halczuk and Bolesław T. Karwowski
Nutrients 2025, 17(13), 2206; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17132206 - 2 Jul 2025
Abstract
Thiamine (vitamin B1) is key in maintaining cellular health and energy metabolism. Thiamine is required for proper functioning of enzymes involved in glucose metabolism, which is critical for providing energy to cells. This energy is essential for various cellular processes, including DNA repair [...] Read more.
Thiamine (vitamin B1) is key in maintaining cellular health and energy metabolism. Thiamine is required for proper functioning of enzymes involved in glucose metabolism, which is critical for providing energy to cells. This energy is essential for various cellular processes, including DNA repair mechanisms. In addition, it is a prerequisite for the functioning of key enzymes in the biosynthesis of pentose sugars, which are essential in the synthesis of nucleic acids. Additionally, thiamine has antioxidant properties that help reduce oxidative stress in cells; thus, by relieving this stress, thiamine indirectly supports the maintenance of DNA integrity. Ensuring adequate thiamine intake through diet or supplements can support overall cellular health and potentially aid in DNA repair processes. This review aims to highlight the essential role of vitamin B1 in supporting metabolic health, especially given that deficiencies can develop in patients with disease-related malnutrition as well as in those with an inadequate diet. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Habits, Nutritional Knowledge, and Nutrition Education)
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Other

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18 pages, 1157 KiB  
Systematic Review
Effect of Dietary and Physical Activity Interventions Combined with Psychological and Behavioral Strategies on Preventing Metabolic Syndrome in Adolescents with Obesity: A Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials
by Claudia C. Jiménez-Peláez, Ángel Fernández-Aparicio, Miguel A. Montero-Alonso and Emilio González-Jiménez
Nutrients 2025, 17(13), 2051; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17132051 - 20 Jun 2025
Viewed by 335
Abstract
Bacground/Objectives: Obesity in adolescents is escalating, accompanied by comorbidities such as insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease, which favor the early onset of metabolic syndrome (MetS). There is an urgent need for effective interventions to prevent and treat MetS. We aimed to analyze intervention [...] Read more.
Bacground/Objectives: Obesity in adolescents is escalating, accompanied by comorbidities such as insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease, which favor the early onset of metabolic syndrome (MetS). There is an urgent need for effective interventions to prevent and treat MetS. We aimed to analyze intervention studies targeting lifestyle improvements in adolescents with obesity. We also determined the effect of combining dietary and/or physical activity interventions with educational, psychological, and emotional support-based interventions compared to traditional interventions in preventing MetS in adolescents with obesity. Methods: The PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Scopus databases were consulted. Ten clinical trials were included in the systematic review, of which six were eligible for the meta-analysis. Results: Combined interventions significantly decreased body weight (−1.10 [−1.64, −0.55], p < 0.001). Although not statistically significant improvements were observed in the meta-analysis for zBMI and waist circumference. The results indicate that diet- and exercise-based interventions are associated with a further decrease in body composition and non-anthropometric variables associated with MetS when combined with educational, psychological, and behavioral interventions. Conclusions: Some studies suggest potential long-term benefits, but further research is necessary to define effective interventions for improving body composition and preventing MetS in obese adolescents, addressing the inconsistencies in current clinical trials. Systematic Review Registration (PROSPERO CRD42023463428). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Habits, Nutritional Knowledge, and Nutrition Education)
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