Objective To investigate the nutrition knowledge, attitude, behavior and status of primary and middle school students in Yueyang. Methods In total, 1,370 primary and middle school studentswere sampled through random cluster sampling from three regions in Yueyang. Students were investigated by structural questionnaires. Results The average grade score of nutrition knowledge of the investigated students was 52.6. Gender, education level, father's education level, family income,  left-behind children or not, and dining at school had significant effects on nutritional knowledge. The average score of nutrition attitude was 33.7. Education level, father's education level and the school dining nutrition attitudes have a significant effect on the students. Behavior is 68.0, economic development level, father's level of education and the school dining had significant effects on nutrition attitudes of the students. The average score of nutrition behavior of the investigated students was 68.0. The level of economy, fathers' education level and dining at school had a significant effect on the nutritional behavior of students. Conclusions The primary and middle school students are deficient in nutrition knowledge, and their unhealthy daily dietary need rectification. It is important to pay attention to the nutrition knowledge status of middle and primary school students and to encourage students to form good attitudes and behaviors.