Cross-Sectional Study Evaluates Prediabetes Nutrition Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices

In a cross-sectional questionnaire study investigating nutrition therapy among adults with prediabetes, researchers found that participants predominantly reported low perceived knowledge alongside moderate attitudes and practices. The investigation, conducted at Beijing Anzhen Hospital, examined the relationships proposed by the knowledge, attitudes, and practices framework to evaluate how these dimensions interact in this patient population.

The study cohort comprised adults diagnosed with prediabetes who were evaluated between June and July 2026. A total of 449 valid questionnaires were included in the final analysis, with female participants accounting for 257 individuals, or 57.2 percent of the analyzed cohort.

Participant scores across each domain were categorized using modified Bloom cut-off thresholds. Under this scoring framework, scores below 60 percent of the maximum possible score were classified as low, scores ranging from 60 to 79 percent were designated as moderate, and scores reaching 80 percent or higher were defined as high.

Measured outcomes indicated that the mean score for perceived knowledge was 12.03 ± 5.51 within a possible score range of 0 to 20, with 53.2 percent of participants falling into the low perceived knowledge category. For attitudes toward nutrition therapy, the mean score was 27.21 ± 4.79 across a possible range of 8 to 40, with moderate attitudes predominating among 64.8 percent of respondents. Regarding reported practices, the mean score was 22.71 ± 5.60 out of a possible range of 7 to 35, with moderate practices predominating at 55.7 percent.

To explore the structural relationships between these variables, the researchers used linear regression alongside structural equation modeling with weighted least squares mean- and variance-adjusted estimation on ordered questionnaire items. The structural equation model revealed that perceived knowledge was positively associated with attitude (standardized β = 0.744) and practice (standardized β = 0.226), while attitude was positively associated with practice (standardized β = 0.469), with all relationships demonstrating significance at P < 0.001. The indirect association connecting perceived knowledge to practice through attitude was estimated at 0.349, with a 95 percent confidence interval spanning 0.257 to 0.444.

The authors noted that the observed positive relationships among these constructs could help identify potential targets for future nutrition education programs. However, they explicitly underscored that the cross-sectional study design and associated measurement limitations preclude drawing any causal or mechanistic conclusions from these associations.

The study was conducted by researchers affiliated with Peking University People’s Hospital and Beijing Anzhen Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, appearing in the clinical nutrition section of Frontiers in Nutrition.

Subject of Research: Nutrition therapy knowledge, attitudes, and practices in adults with prediabetes

Article Title: Perceived knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding nutrition therapy among people with prediabetes: a structural equation model analysis

Article References: Guo, C., & Yu, Y. (2026). Perceived knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding nutrition therapy among people with prediabetes: a structural equation model analysis. Frontiers in Nutrition, 13, Article 1952271. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2026.1952271

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2026.1952271

Keywords: prediabetes, nutrition therapy, knowledge attitudes practices, structural equation modeling, clinical nutrition, preventive health, dietary practices, health behavior, Perceived, knowledge, attitudes, practices