Research: Smart Minds, Poor Plates? What Students Really Know About Nutrition

Posted: 12/08/2025

A UK study found that most university students had low to moderate nutrition knowledge, regardless of their degree or year level. Many students struggled with basic dietary facts, including understanding fats, sugars and healthy eating guidelines, and were often influenced by misinformation from social media. Students with better nutrition knowledge were more likely to make healthier food choices, and poor diet choices were often linked to knowledge gaps, not only lifestyle, convenience or cost reasons. Australian universities should not assume students have the knowledge or skills to make healthy eating choices. Consideration should be given to embedding engaging, evidence-based nutrition in all degrees and aspects of campus life.

Citation: Derbyshire, E., & Davies, G. J. Nutrition knowledge among university students in the UK: a cross-sectional study. Public Health Nutrition, 2021. (link)

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