Evaluating pregnancy-related nutrition knowledge and misconceptions in Northern California college students
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Objective: To examine knowledge of nutrition guidance during pregnancy in undergraduate students. Participants: 894 students from an introductory nutrition course at a four-year, large, public, land-grant university in Northern California. Methods: The Pregnancy Knowledge Nutrition Questionnaire was administered online; frequencies were calculated for correctness. ANOVA, Tukey’s Honestly Significant Difference, and Principal Component Analysis were used to compare scores between gender, age, race/ethnicity, and academic major. Results: Mean knowledge score was 23.6 ± 9.3 out of 69 points (34/100%; range of 0–49 points). Females scored higher (24.1 ± 9.2 points), as compared to males (22.5 ± 9.6 points; p = 0.02). Scores differed by academic major (p < 0.001), but not race/ethnicity. Most knew alcohol recommendations, but had limited knowledge of first trimester energy needs (6% correct), iodine recommendations (9% correct), and supplementation recommendations. Conclusions: Findings indicate students have limited knowledge of nutrition guidance during pregnancy. Future efforts on college campuses could consider supplemental lectures and education programming to improve knowledge.
Language: English
Topic: Public Health and Nutrition
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7147084746