Association Between Nutrition Knowledge and Diabetes Risk (FINDRISC): A Cross-Sectional Study in Primary Care

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the association between nutrition knowledge and diabetes risk, as well as metabolic parameters in primary care. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 317 adults attending a family medicine outpatient clinic. Sociodemographic data were gathered via in-person interviews. Nutrition knowledge and diabetes risk were assessed using the Nutrition Knowledge Scale and Finnish Diabetes Risk Score, respectively. Anthropometric measurements were recorded, and fasting plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and lipid profiles were analyzed. Statistical analyses were processed through SPSS 25.0. Results: Participants had a mean age of 43.2±13.6 years, and 75.1% were female. Higher nutrition knowledge levels were associated with lower Finnish Diabetes Risk Score scores, and Nutrition Knowledge Scale was weakly and inversely correlated with Finnish Diabetes Risk Score. Higher Nutrition Knowledge Scale scores were also associated with lower glycated hemoglobin, triglyceride levels, and Body Mass Index. Higher Finnish Diabetes Risk Score values were associated with increased fasting plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and triglyceride levels. Conclusion: Higher nutrition knowledge is linked to lower diabetes risk and improved metabolic parameters. Enhancing nutrition education in primary care may support diabetes prevention.