22 September 2026
Saija Jarvimaki

Stronger nutrition literacy may be linked to greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet, recent JACARDI research suggests. The findings come from a cross-sectional study in a socioeconomically disadvantaged area of Florence, Italy, and highlight the possible value of practical nutrition skills in cardiovascular disease prevention. 

Specifically, the study focused on women in midlife, a group with increased cardiovascular risk. Among the different dimensions of nutrition literacy, skills related to reading food labels and interpreting numerical information were the most clearly associated with healthier dietary patterns, such as Mediterranean diet, and higher consumption of fruit, vegetables and olive oil.

“Overall, these results suggest that practical everyday skills may play an important role in supporting healthier food choices”, says Chiara Lorini, Associate Professor of Public Health at the University of Florence and lead author of the study.

The findings are based on questionnaire data from 143 women recruited in primary health care settings. Most participants were classified as having limited nutrition literacy, while adherence to the Mediterranean diet was most often moderate.

Findings can help shape tailored community action

These findings have implications for public health practice. From a public health perspective, the study supports the development of tailored, community-based nutrition education interventions, especially in socially disadvantaged settings. 

“Skills such as reading food labels, estimating portions and interpreting numerical information may be promising targets for future community-based nutrition interventions,” Lorini says.

This makes accessible and relevant prevention approaches particularly important. At the same time, the authors stress that the findings are preliminary. Because the study was cross-sectional, it cannot show cause and effect, and larger longitudinal and interventional studies are needed to confirm the results.

These findings resonate with JACARDI’s broader mission to strengthen cardiovascular disease prevention across Europe through evidence-based, community-level action. By identifying specific, teachable skills – like reading food labels and interpreting nutritional information – as levers for healthier eating, the study offers a concrete starting point for the kind of tailored, accessible interventions JACARDI aims to promote in underserved communities. 

Publication: Nutrition Literacy and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Women Aged 45–70 Years: A Cross-Sectional Analysis from the Ophelia Study in Florence
Authors: Chiara Lorini, Diletta Buresta, Chiara Marini, Claudia Cosma, Claudia Biagi, Chiara Milani, Giulia Naldini, Gabriele Cerini, Alice Graziani, Marco Del Riccio, Patrizio Zanobini, Veronica Gallinoro, Lorenzo Baggiani, Marco Nerattini and Guglielmo Bonaccorsi
Journal: Nutrients
Publication date: 15 April 2026
DOI: 10.3390/nu18081238