Understanding the role of nutrition literacy in sustainable nutrition

Purpose While few studies have examined the impact of nutrition literacy (NL) on sustainable dietary behaviors, this study aims to explore the role of adults’ NL in sustainable and healthy eating behaviors (SHEB) and their adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Design/methodology/approach This cross-sectional study was conducted between April 2023 and January 2024 at Ondokuz Mayıs University in Samsun, Türkiye, involving 277 students and personnel (54.9% women; age range: 19–56 years). Participants completed the Evaluation Instrument of Nutrition Literacy on Adults (EINLA), the Sustainable and Healthy Eating Behaviors Scale (SHEBS) and the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS). Findings Linear regression analyses revealed that a one-unit increase in the reading comprehension and interpretation component of the EINLA scale was associated with a 4.458-unit increase ( p = 0.022) in the SHEBS score. Additionally, age was positively associated with SHEBS, with each additional year linked to a 0.977-unit increase ( p < 0.001). Participants whose income was equal to or higher than their expenditure had significantly higher SHEBS scores compared to those whose income was lower ( p = 0.002). However, no significant association was observed between NL and MEDAS scores. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature by demonstrating that reading comprehension and interpretation play a critical role in promoting SHEB among university students and personnel. Additionally, it highlights the influence of age and financial stability on individuals’ ability to adopt sustainable and healthy eating behaviors.