Evaluation of Academicians' Levels of Nutritional Knowledge and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the nutritional knowledge levels of academicians and their adherence to the Mediterranean diet.Methods: The research data were collected face to face with the help of a questionnaire created by the researchers. Demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, nutritional habits, nutritional knowledge levels and adherence to the Mediterranean diet were questioned with the questionnaire form. Nutritional knowledge levels of individuals were evaluated with the 'Nutrition Knowledge Level Scale for Adults (NKLSA)'. Mediterranean diet pattern characteristics were identified with the 'Mediterranean diet adherence score (MEDAS)'.Results: The mean age of the individuals was 40.2 & PLUSMN;9.20 years, 42.2% of individuals were overweight and 7.8% are obese. 8.4% of the individuals had bad, 24.7% moderate, 44.8% good, 22.1% very good basic nutrition knowledge levels. 7.1% of the individuals had bad, 26.6% moderate, 27.9% good, 38.3% very good knowledge levels about food preference. 68.2% of individuals were in compliance with the Mediterranean diet. A statistically significant difference was found between individuals who did and did not comply with the Mediterranean diet in terms of the total score of NKLSA, basic nutrition knowledge score and food preference knowledge score (p<0.05).Conclusions: It was determined that the majority of academicians were in compliance with the Mediterranean diet and their nutritional knowledge level was good. However, half of the academicians were determined to be overweight or obese, which is a risk factor for noncommunicable chronic diseases.