What is it about?
This cross-sectional research assessed nutrition knowledge in a sample of college students in Amman, Jordan and its association with food security and other risk factors. An Arabic Nutrition Knowledge Index (ANKI) was developed and validated in 122 college students (pilot study). In the replication study, the demographics scale, validated ANKI, and Arabic Individual Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) were administered to 470 students. The ANKI was reliable (Cα = 0.82) and stable over time (ICC = 0.82, P < 0.001; paired t-test P = 0.57). Mean ANKI score was good for the pilot study (19.52±0.48) and replication study (19.68 ± 0.22). In the replication study, mean ANKI score was significantly larger among food secure (20.07 ± 0.23) than among moderately (18.28 ± 0.63) and severely food insecure students (14.22 ± 0.70) (F = 11.87, P = 0.000). Thus, measuring nutrition knowledge using the ANKI would provide baseline data for researchers and policy-makers to develop dietary guidelines for Jordanians. Finally, interventions are needed to raise nutrition awareness among college students, to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Featured Image
Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash
Why is it important?
Measuring nutrition knowledge using the ANKI would provide baseline data for researchers and policy-makers to develop dietary guidelines and nutrition interventions for Jordanians.
Perspectives
The Arabic Nutrition Knowledge Index (ANKI) is a valid tool to discern nutrition knowledge. The current sample of Jordanian students had good levels of nutrition knowledge. Moreover, nutrition knowledge was better in food-secure students than in the food-insecure. Thus, measuring nutrition knowledge can assist in developing dietary guidelines and nutrition interventions for Jordanians to reduce malnutrition, obesity, and associated chronic diseases.
Dr. Tamara Yousef Mousa
University of Jordan
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Nutrition knowledge, food security, and other risk factors in a sample of college students in Jordan: A cross-sectional design, Cogent Food & Agriculture, October 2023, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.1080/23311932.2023.2265109.
You can read the full text:
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
