Nutrition Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices among University Students and Their Association with Dietary Habits: A Cross-Sectional Study at Iqra National University, Swat Campus

Abstract

Background and Objective: University life is a formative period during which independent food choices become established and may influence long-term health. Nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) can shape eating behavior, yet evidence from university students in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is limited. This study assessed nutrition KAP among undergraduate students at Iqra National University, Swat Campus, and examined their association with dietary habits. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study included 250 undergraduate students selected through stratified random sampling by academic department and year of study (between October 15, 2023, and February 28, 2024). Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, nutrition knowledge, attitudes, practices, and dietary habits. Height and weight were measured to calculate body mass index (BMI). Data were analyzed in SPSS version 27 using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and Pearson correlation, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Ethics approval was obtained from the IERB (Ref: INU/ETH/AHS/2023/042). Results: Among 250 participants, 138 (55.2%) were male and 112 (44.8%) were female; mean age was 21.3 ± 2.1 years; mean BMI was 22.4 ± 3.2 kg/m². Good nutrition knowledge was observed in 169 students (67.6%), positive nutrition attitudes in 181 (72.4%), and good nutrition practices in 123 (49.2%). Regular breakfast consumption was reported by 147 participants (58.8%), whereas 161 (64.4%) consumed fast food at least once weekly and 173 (69.2%) regularly consumed sugar-sweetened beverages. Nutrition knowledge and positive attitudes were associated with healthier dietary habits (χ² = 24.49, p < 0.001 and χ² = 9.08, p = 0.003, respectively). Nutrition-practice and dietary-habit scores showed a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.48, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Most students demonstrated adequate nutrition knowledge and favorable attitudes, but fewer than half reported good nutrition practices. The observed knowledge-practice gap supports university-based interventions that combine nutrition education with practical behavior-change strategies and healthier campus food environments. Because the study was cross-sectional and based largely on self-reported data, causal inference is not possible.

Keywords: Nutrition knowledge; nutrition attitudes; nutrition practices; dietary habits; university students; healthy eating; Pakistan.