The impact of nutrition education on food insecurity, food literacy, and dietary intake: a single-arm pre-post intervention study.

BACKGROUND

Poor food literacy behaviours may exacerbate food insecurity. Therefore, food literacy interventions have been increasingly utilized to improve food security and enhance dietary intake among low-socioeconomic adults. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a nutrition education intervention on food security, food literacy, and dietary intake among low-income Saudi families.

METHODS

This single-arm pre-post intervention study was conducted between June and August 2024. Seventy-three adults completed the pre-survey and 67 completed the post-survey. The survey included questions on food security, food literacy, and dietary intake.

RESULTS

The intervention was significantly associated with improvements in both food insecurity and food literacy. The mean food insecurity score decreased from 4.06 ± 2.98 pre-intervention to 2.71 ± 2.58 post-intervention, with a mean reduction of - 1.35 ± 1.62 (P < 0.001; Cohen's d = 0.83). In terms of food literacy, the mean score increased from 46.4 ± 10.9 to 58.4 ± 7.1, with a mean increase of 12 ± 9.07 (P < 0.001; Cohen's d = 1.32). Dietary intake also improved following the intervention. After adjustment for multiple comparisons, significant improvements remained for fruit intake, red and white meat intake, legumes, and bread and cereals.

CONCLUSIONS

The intervention showed short-term improvement in food insecurity and food literacy, along with favorable changes in dietary intake among low-income Saudi families.