According to Gram Research analysis, less than half of university students in Saudi Arabia have good nutrition knowledge, with only 45.7% scoring above 50 points on a validated nutrition test. Female students, health science majors, graduate students, fourth-year students, and those following special diets demonstrated significantly better nutrition knowledge than their peers, suggesting that targeted nutrition education programs could help improve knowledge among male students, non-health majors, and younger students.
A new study of over 700 university students in Saudi Arabia found that less than half have good nutrition knowledge, even though understanding food and health is super important. Researchers discovered that certain groups of students, like those studying medicine, female students, and older students, knew more about nutrition than others. Male students, those in non-health majors, and freshmen had the lowest nutrition knowledge scores. The findings suggest that Saudi universities need better nutrition education programs designed specifically for different groups of students to help everyone make healthier food choices.
Key Statistics
A cross-sectional study of 707 Saudi Arabian university students found that only 45.7% demonstrated good nutrition knowledge, with an average score of 46.9 out of 86 points on a validated nutrition questionnaire.
Female students in Saudi Arabian universities were significantly more likely to have good nutrition knowledge compared to male students, according to a 2026 cross-sectional study of 707 undergraduates and graduates.
Health science and medicine students in Saudi Arabia scored substantially higher on nutrition knowledge assessments than students in non-health disciplines, with graduate students outperforming undergraduate students across all fields.
Students following special diets demonstrated better overall nutrition knowledge than those without dietary restrictions, suggesting that personal dietary management increases awareness of nutritional concepts.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: How much university students in Saudi Arabia know about nutrition and what factors affect their knowledge level
- Who participated: 707 university students from five different campuses at one Saudi Arabian university, including both undergraduate and graduate students from health-related fields (like medicine) and non-health fields (like business or engineering)
- Key finding: Only 45.7% of students scored well on a nutrition knowledge test, with an average score of 46.9 out of 86 points. Female students, health science majors, graduate students, fourth-year students, and those following special diets had significantly better nutrition knowledge.
- What it means for you: If you’re a university student in Saudi Arabia, especially if you’re male, in your first or second year, or studying a non-health subject: you might benefit from learning more about nutrition. Better nutrition knowledge can help you make healthier food choices and prevent diseases later in life.
The Research Details
Researchers conducted a cross-sectional study, which is like taking a snapshot of a group at one point in time. Between October 2024 and December 2025, they asked 728 students at a Saudi Arabian university to complete a questionnaire about their nutrition knowledge. The questionnaire was a validated Arabic version, meaning it had been tested and proven to accurately measure what it’s supposed to measure. Students came from five different campuses and studied various subjects, some in health-related fields like medicine and nursing, and others in non-health fields like engineering or business.
The researchers used convenience sampling, which means they recruited students who were easily available rather than randomly selecting them. This is a practical approach but can introduce some bias. They asked students questions about basic nutrition concepts, food groups, dietary guidelines, and how nutrition relates to health and disease prevention.
After collecting the data, researchers used statistical analysis to identify which factors were most strongly connected to having good nutrition knowledge. They looked at factors like gender, field of study, year in school, and whether students followed any special diets.
Understanding what factors influence nutrition knowledge is important because it helps educators design better programs. If researchers can identify which groups of students struggle most with nutrition knowledge, universities can create targeted education programs to help those specific groups. This approach is more effective than one-size-fits-all nutrition education.
This study has several strengths: it used a validated questionnaire specifically designed to measure nutrition knowledge, included a reasonably large sample size (707 students), and used statistical methods to control for confounding factors. However, the study has limitations: it only looked at students from one university in Saudi Arabia, used convenience sampling rather than random selection, and was conducted at a specific point in time so we can’t determine cause and effect. The findings may not apply to all Saudi students or students in other countries.
What the Results Show
The study found that the average nutrition knowledge score among 707 students was 46.9 out of a possible 86 points. This means students got roughly 54% of nutrition questions correct on average, not a passing grade. When researchers set a cutoff score of 50 points to define “good” nutrition knowledge, only 45.7% of students met this standard. This means more than half the students had below-average nutrition knowledge.
After analyzing the data carefully, researchers identified several groups of students who were significantly more likely to have good nutrition knowledge. Female students scored better than male students. Students enrolled in medicine or health sciences programs scored better than those in non-health fields. Graduate students (pursuing master’s or doctoral degrees) scored better than undergraduate students. Fourth-year students scored better than first, second, and third-year students. Finally, students who followed special diets, whether for religious, health, or personal reasons, had better nutrition knowledge than those who didn’t follow any special diet.
These differences were statistically significant, meaning they weren’t due to random chance. The researchers used a statistical method called multivariable logistic regression, which allowed them to see which factors were most important while accounting for other variables that might influence the results.
The study also revealed that academic discipline was one of the strongest predictors of nutrition knowledge. Students in health-related fields like medicine, nursing, and nutrition had substantially higher scores than students in business, engineering, or other non-health majors. This makes sense because health students typically receive formal nutrition education as part of their curriculum. The finding about special diets is also interesting, students who followed specific dietary patterns (such as vegetarian diets, diabetic diets, or diets for food allergies) demonstrated better overall nutrition knowledge, possibly because they had to learn more about food composition and nutritional content to manage their diets.
This research aligns with previous studies showing that nutrition knowledge varies significantly by demographic and academic factors. Earlier research in other countries has also found that female students and health science students typically have better nutrition knowledge than their peers. However, this is one of the first comprehensive studies examining these patterns specifically in Saudi Arabia, filling an important gap in the research. The finding that less than half of students have good nutrition knowledge is consistent with studies from other regions showing that nutrition knowledge among young adults is generally suboptimal.
Several limitations should be considered when interpreting these results. First, the study only included students from one university in Saudi Arabia, so the findings may not represent all Saudi university students or students in other countries. Second, the researchers used convenience sampling rather than random selection, which means the students who participated might differ from those who didn’t participate in ways that could affect the results. Third, this was a cross-sectional study, which means it captured a snapshot at one point in time, researchers cannot determine whether certain factors actually cause better nutrition knowledge or just happen to be associated with it. Fourth, the study relied on self-reported questionnaire responses, which might not perfectly reflect students’ actual nutrition knowledge or behaviors. Finally, the study didn’t measure whether students actually applied their nutrition knowledge to their eating habits.
The Bottom Line
Universities in Saudi Arabia should develop nutrition education programs tailored to different student groups. Programs should particularly target male students, students in their first and second years, and those in non-health-related disciplines, as these groups showed the lowest nutrition knowledge. These programs could be integrated into general education requirements or offered as optional workshops. High confidence: Universities should prioritize nutrition education for at-risk groups. Moderate confidence: Peer-led nutrition education programs might be particularly effective for male students and younger students.
University students in Saudi Arabia should care about this research, particularly male students, first and second-year students, and those studying non-health subjects. Parents of university-age children should also pay attention, as they can encourage their children to seek nutrition education. University administrators and educators should use these findings to design better nutrition programs. Healthcare providers working with young adults should be aware that many university students lack adequate nutrition knowledge. Students in other countries may also benefit from these findings, as similar patterns likely exist elsewhere.
Improving nutrition knowledge typically takes several weeks to months of consistent learning. Students who participate in structured nutrition education programs might see improvements in their knowledge within 4-8 weeks. However, translating knowledge into actual behavior change, like eating healthier foods, often takes longer, typically 2-3 months or more. The benefits of better nutrition knowledge, such as improved health outcomes and disease prevention, develop over months and years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is nutrition knowledge important for college students?
Nutrition knowledge helps students make healthier food choices, which prevents diseases like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease later in life. Good nutrition also improves academic performance, energy levels, and mental health during college years.
Which groups of students know the least about nutrition?
Male students, those in their first or second year of university, and students studying non-health subjects like engineering or business showed the lowest nutrition knowledge scores in this Saudi Arabian study of 707 students.
Can nutrition knowledge be improved through education programs?
Yes, research shows that structured nutrition education programs can significantly improve knowledge. The study suggests that targeted programs designed for specific student groups, particularly males and younger students, would be most effective.
Does having good nutrition knowledge mean students eat healthier?
Not necessarily. While nutrition knowledge is important, actually changing eating habits requires additional factors like motivation, access to healthy foods, and practical cooking skills. Knowledge is the first step, but behavior change takes more effort.
How can I improve my nutrition knowledge as a college student?
Take advantage of nutrition education programs offered by your university, use reliable online resources, follow nutrition experts on social media, read food labels carefully, and consider consulting with a registered dietitian for personalized guidance.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track your nutrition knowledge score weekly by taking short 10-question nutrition quizzes in the app. Record your scores to see improvement over time. Aim to increase your score by 5-10 points every two weeks.
- If you’re a male student, in your first or second year, or studying a non-health subject, use the app’s nutrition education module for 15 minutes daily. Start with basic topics like food groups and macronutrients, then progress to more complex topics like reading nutrition labels and meal planning.
- Set weekly reminders to complete nutrition knowledge assessments. Track which topics you find most challenging and spend extra time on those areas. Monitor whether your improved nutrition knowledge translates to healthier food choices by logging your meals and comparing them to nutritional guidelines.
This research describes nutrition knowledge levels among Saudi Arabian university students and identifies associated factors, but it does not establish cause-and-effect relationships. The findings apply specifically to the studied population and may not generalize to all students worldwide. This article is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical or nutritional advice. If you have specific dietary concerns or health conditions, consult with a registered dietitian or healthcare provider. Individual nutrition needs vary based on age, health status, activity level, and other factors.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.
