Can Enhanced Nutrition Knowledge Improve Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet Among Physically Active Individuals? Evidence From a Cross-Sectional Study

The Mediterranean diet (MD) health benefits are well-known for the general population and athletes alike. Nutrition knowledge can affect food choices and dietary habits. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between sports nutrition knowledge and adherence to the MD in physically active individuals (PAI). A total of 400 PAI participated in our cross-sectional study, 74.5% women and 25.5% men. The survey was performed in person. Information on demographic variables, Nutrition for Sports Knowledge Questionnaire (NSKQ), and Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) was collected. Among PAIs, there was low nutritional knowledge (67.8%) and low adherence to the MD (65.5%). There was a significant difference between the levels of sports nutrition knowledge of PAI and MD adherence (Low NK-MEDAS = 6.05 +/- 2.50, Very good NK-MEDAS = 7.28 +/- 2.06, F = 7.252, p < 0.01). In addition, the relationship between subdimension scores and adherence to the MD level were; total NSKQ score (r = 0.245, p < 0.01), macronutrients (r = 0.22, p < 0.01), micronutrients (r = 0.156, p < 0.01), sports nutrition (r = 0.202, p < 0.01), supplements (r = 0.217, p < 0.01), and alcohol (r = 0.182, p < 0.01), respectively. In conclusion, nutritional knowledge should increase adherence to the MD among PAI. Thus, nutrition education and personalized nutrition counseling could help to improve nutritional knowledge and PAI's adherence to the MD.