Introduction:Nutrition education plays a crucial role in preparing future physicians to promote healthy dietary behaviors and manage diet-related diseases. However, evidence suggests that medical students often lack sufficient nutrition-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP), especially in developing countries. This study aimed to assess the level of nutrition-related KAP among medical interns at Kashan University of Medical Sciences and to identify demographic and personal factors associated with their KAP scores.
Materials&Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study conducted in 2024, a total of 127 medical interns from Shahid Beheshti Hospital completed a validated questionnaire measuring their knowledge (15 items), attitudes (8 items), and practices (7 items) regarding nutrition. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27, employing t-tests, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation to explore associations between variables.
Results: The mean knowledge score was 6.9 (±2.4) out of 15, indicating a moderate level, while attitude (28.5 ± 3.6 out of 40) and practice (20.9 ± 3.5 out of 28) scores were relatively favorable. No significant correlations were found among the three domains (p > 0.05). Male interns had significantly higher knowledge scores than females (p = 0.015). Parental education, occupation, presence of chronic disease, and medication use were significantly associated with higher knowledge or practice scores (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Despite relatively positive attitudes, medical interns demonstrated only moderate knowledge and inconsistent practical engagement in nutrition-related behaviors. These findings underscore the need for enhanced, practical, and evidence-based nutrition education integrated into clinical training during medical internships. Educational policymakers are encouraged to prioritize structured nutrition modules to improve future physicians’ competence in dietary counseling.

Acknowledgments: The authors would like to thank all individuals who contributed to this study.

Availability of data and materials: The data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Conflicts of interest:The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Consent for publication:Not applicable.

Ethical approval and consent to participate:This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the National Agency for Strategic Research in Medical Education (NASRME) (Ethics Approval Code: IR.NASRME.REC.1402.038). The participants were informed that their participation in the study was voluntary. The participants’ data were analyzed and reported anonymously and confidentially. The study was conducted in accordance with the ethical principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki.
Funding:This study was financially supported by the National Agency for Strategic Research in Medical Education (NASRME), under Project No. 985049.

Authors’ Contributions:A. Aminianfar led the Conceptualization (50%), Methodology (40%), Formal Analysis (50%), Writing – Review & Editing (50%), and held primary Accountability (60%). M. Mohammadi contributed significantly to Data Curation (40%), Writing – Original Draft (40%), and Finalization (30%). H. Gilasi was involved in Conceptualization (20%), Formal Analysis (30%), and Accountability (20%). M. Akbarzadeh was responsible for Methodology/Design (30%) and supported the Review & Finalization processes. F. Ravai contributed to Data Curation (30%) and Writing – Original Draft (20%).

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