Nutrition Knowledge Is Associated With Diet Quality Among US Army Soldiers

Abstract

ObjectiveExamine the relationship between nutrition knowledge, diet quality, and eating behavior among active-duty US Army Soldiers. MethodsCross-sectional study with data collection in February 2018 via paper surveys during the validation of the Military Eating Behavior Survey. ResultsAmong 440 US Army Soldiers, nutrition knowledge was positively and significantly associated with diet quality (b = 0.29, P < 0.001). For every 1-point increase in nutrition knowledge, the Healthy Eating Index-2015 score was expected to increase by 0.29 points. Nutrition knowledge was not significantly associated with skipping breakfast (odds ratio, 1.01; 95% confidence interval, 0.98–1.04) or dining out (odds ratio, 1.01; 95% confidence interval, 0.98–1.03). Conclusions and ImplicationsThe outcomes of this study warrant further investigation to determine what interventions provide the strongest outcomes for improving nutrition knowledge and diet quality, as well as create and support an environment that enhances healthy behaviors regarding nutrition that lead to improved diet quality among active-duty Soldiers.