Nutrition Literacy among Adolescents and Its Association with Eating Habits and BMI in Tripoli, Lebanon

Relationships among Sleep Time, Physical Activity Time, Screen Time, and Nutrition Literacy of Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study in Chongqing, China

Background: Unhealthy lifestyles among adolescents are reaching alarming levels and have become a major public health problem. This study aimed to assess the relationship between sleep time, physical activity (PA) time, screen time (ST), and nutritional literacy (NL). Methods: This cross-sectional online study involving adolescents aged 10-18 years was conducted in September 2020 in 239 schools in Chongqing, China. NL was measured using the "Nutrition Literacy Scale for middle school students in Chongqing (CM-NLS)". According to the recommended by the Chinese dietary guidelines (2022), we divided the sleep time of junior high school students into <9 h and ≥9 h, high school students into <8 h and ≥8 h, divided the workdays into weekend PA time < 1 h and ≥1 h, and divided the workdays into weekend ST < 2 h and ≥2 h. The multinomial logistic regression model was used to examine the association. Results: A total of 18,660 adolescents (50.2% males) were included. The proportion of participants that were junior high school students and attended boarding schools was 57.2% and 65.3%, respectively. Compared with senior high school students, junior high school students had a higher level of NL. Whether on workdays or weekends, participants with sleep time ≥ 8/9 h, PA time ≥ 1 h, and ST < 2 h per day had higher levels of NL. On weekdays, participants who met the sleep time ≥ 8 h/9 h (OR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.36, 1.62) and PA time ≥ 1 h (OR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.59, 1.81) had higher reporting of NL levels. Conclusions: Sleep time, PA time, and ST were positively correlated with NL among adolescents, especially junior high school students.

Influence of Food Habits and Participation in a National Extracurricular Athletics Program on Body Weight within a Pair-Matched Sample of Polish Adolescents after One Year of Intervention-#goathletics Study

The COVID-19 pandemic reduced the physical activity level and commitment in adolescents, which has resulted in a body weight increase, and the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes that this negative trend must be now counteracted. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of food habits and participation in a national extracurricular athletics program (Athletics for All) on body weight within a pair-matched sample of Polish adolescents after one year of intervention. The #goathletics Study was conducted in a population of Polish adolescents within two pair-matched groups: 506 adolescents aged 10-14, including 281 female and 225 male adolescents, regularly participating in Athletics for All program for at least 9 months (one school year) (intervention group), and a pair-matched control group (matched taking into account city, gender, and age). The #goathletics Study included the assessment of the body weight, which was conducted based on the growth reference charts for Body Mass Index (BMI), and waist circumference to verify central fatness. Athletics for All participation and food habits were verified as determinants of body weight, while food habits were assessed using the validated Adolescents' Food Habits Checklist (AFHC). While compared the intervention group and control group, statistically significant differences were observed for body weight, BMI, and waist circumference, both for crude and relative values, with adolescents participating in the Athletics for All program presenting a lower risk of excessive body weight and central fatness (p < 0.05), while, compared to sub-groups stratified by AFHC score, no statistically significant differences in general anthropometric characteristics were observed (p > 0.05). While the body weight centile, height centile, BMI centile and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were assessed as the resultant variables, it was revealed that participation in the Athletics for All program is the only influencing factor in multi-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) for body weight centile (F = 21.44; p < 0.0001) and BMI centile (F = 47.98; p < 0.0001), but for height centile and WHtR, none of the assessed factors influenced these variables. It was concluded that regularly participating in the Athletics for All program for at least 9 months was the only determinant of a lower risk of excessive body weight in adolescents, with declared food habits and gender not being significant.

Nutrition literacy status and its association with adherence to the Mediterranean diet, anthropometric parameters and lifestyle behaviours among early adolescents

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate nutrition literacy status and its association with adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD), anthropometric parameters and lifestyle behaviours among early adolescents.

DESIGN

This is a cross-sectional study. Nutrition literacy was evaluated using the 'Adolescent Nutrition Literacy Scale'. Dietary intake was assessed by 24-h food recall. The 'Mediterranean Diet Quality Index' was used to evaluate adolescents' adherence to the MD. Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Body weight, height, waist, hip and neck circumference were measured.

SETTING

Four secondary schools in İzmir, Türkiye.

PARTICIPANTS

The study included 1074 secondary school students.

RESULTS

Adolescents' nutrition literacy was at a moderate level. Nutrition literacy scores were significantly lower in those who skip main meals. Adolescents with high nutrition literacy had higher intakes of fibre, protein, protein, Ca, K, Mg, P, vitamin C, folate and Fe intake than those with low and moderate nutrition literacy (P < 0·05). According to IPAQ, active adolescents had higher nutrition literacy scores than inactive adolescents. There was no significant difference in BMI and anthropometric measurements of the adolescents according to their nutrition literacy level. Linear regression analysis showed that each unit increase in nutrition literacy increased adherence to the MD by 0·286 points (β = 0·286) and decreased total screen time by 0·182 points (β = -0·182).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings showed that nutrition literacy among early adolescents was not optimal, and a higher nutrition literacy score was significantly associated with higher MD adherence, and healthy eating habits and lifestyle behaviours.

High nutrition literacy linked with low frequency of take-out food consumption in chinese college students

BACKGROUND

The excessive consumption of take-out food has increased the risk of nutrition-related chronic diseases. Nutrition literacy (NL) is an important influencing factor of food choice. This study aimed to explore the relationship between nutrition literacy and take-out food consumption.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 2130 college students in Bengbu, China. A self-reported questionnaire that included demographic information, lifestyle behavior, take-out food consumption, and nutrition literacy scale was used. Ordinal logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between nutrition literacy and take-out food consumption.

RESULTS

Of the students surveyed, 61.5% consumed take-out food at least once a week. NL was significantly associated with the frequency of take-out food consumption ≥ 4 times/week (OR = 0.995, 95% CI = 0.990-1.000); the difference specifically was discovered for applying skills, interactive skills, and critical skills. Moreover, students with high level NL ate less (Spicy) hot pot (OR = 0.996, 95% CI = 0.992-1.000), but more vegetable and fruit salad (OR = 1.009, 95% CI = 1.002-1.015).

CONCLUSIONS

NL, especially in applying skills, interactive skills, and critical skills, is not only associated with consumption frequency of take-out food among college students, but also links with types of take-out food consumption. Our findings emphasize that targeted interventions on nutritional skills literacy should be needed to improve dietary behaviors for student's good health.

Health literacy among adolescents and young adults in the Eastern Mediterranean region: a scoping review

OBJECTIVES

For adolescents and young adults, most health literacy research has been conducted in Western countries, but few studies have been conducted in the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR). This review aimed to explore the existing health literacy research in the EMR in addition to the levels of health literacy and its associated factors among adolescents and young adults.

METHODS

The search, conducted using the PubMed/MEDLINE, EBSCOhost/CINAHL plus, Web of Science and J-STAGE databases, was initially performed on 16 June 2022 and later updated on 1 October 2022. Studies that targeted 10-25 years old persons, conducted in any of the EMR countries and that used the health literacy concept and/or described its levels or predictors were included in the review. Content analysis was used for data extraction and analysis. Data related to the study methods, participants, outcome variables and health literacy were extracted.

RESULTS

The review included 82 studies, most of which were conducted in Iran and Turkey and adopted a cross-sectional design. Half of the studies showed that more than half of adolescents and young adults had low or moderate health literacy. Nine studies applied university-based or school-based health education interventions to improve health literacy, which was also predicted by demographic and socioeconomic factors and internet usage. Little attention was paid to assessing the health literacy of vulnerable people, such as refugees and those with a disability and exposed to violence. Finally, various health literacy topics were investigated, including nutrition, non-communicable diseases, media and depression.

CONCLUSION

Health literacy levels were low-to-moderate in adolescents and young adults in the EMR. To promote health literacy, it is recommended to use school-based health education and attempt to reach adolescents and young adults through social media platforms. More attention should be paid to refugees, people with disabilities and those exposed to violence.

The relationship between the nutritional literacy level and heart health attitudes of adolescents

PURPOSE

It was aimed to evaluate the effect of adolescents' nutritional literacy level on their heart health attitudes.

METHODS

This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study. Data from 416 adolescents were obtained in the study. The Adolescent Nutrition Literacy Scale (ANLS) and the Cardiovascular Health Behavior Scale for Children (CHBSC) were completed by participants. The adolescents' demographic information, lifestyle, and diet habits were collected. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariable regression.

RESULTS

The participants' mean scores of the ANLS and the CHBSC were as 68.30 ± 8.68 and 67.55 ± 8.45, respectively. It was determined that 88.7% of the adolescents had moderate attitudes towards heart health and that there was a weak and negative correlation between the ANLS and CHBSC scores (r = -0,207; p < 0.001). It was determined that there was a statistically significant difference in ANLS and CHBSC scores in terms of gender, Body Mass Index (BMI), fast food consumption frequency, what they primarily pay attention to in food, weekly exercise frequency, the amount of daily water consumption, general health status and reading the label of packaged products (p < 0.05). It was determined that exercising, general state of health, BMI, consumption of fast food, and reading the label of packaged products were key predictors of CHBSC scores. Additionally, exercising, consumption of fast food, and reading the label of packaged products were identified as key predictors of ANLS scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis suggests that higher levels of nutritional literacy are related to more positive attitudes towards heart health in adolescents. Additionally, our analysis identifies key predictors of both nutrition literacy and heart health behaviors.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

School health nurses should consider the variables influencing these parameters to improve attitudes towards nutritional literacy and heart health in adolescents.

Adaptation of the Food Literacy Questionnaire for school children to Turkish: validity and reliability study

Food literacy is the ability to understand the nature of food and its level of importance, to obtain, process, analyze, and use information about food. This study aims to translate and cross-culturally adapt the Food Literacy Questionnaire for school children (FLQ-sc) into Turkish and to study its psychometric properties of reliability and validity. The study was conducted with 303 students aged 12-14 in Kayseri, Turkey. A pilot study was conducted with 36 students, and a test-retest was conducted with 219 students, 2 weeks after the first study was performed. Data were collected with the sociodemographic data form and FLQ-sc. Linguistic, content, face, and construct validity were evaluated for validity. Cronbach's alpha and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated for the reliability evaluation. Model validity was tested with confirmatory factor analysis. Root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), χ2/SD, and goodness-of-fit index (GFI) statistics were in good agreement. Comparative fit index (CFI), Tucker-Lewis index (TLI), and standardized root mean square error of approximation (SRMR) statistics were at acceptable levels (RMSEA = 0.033, χ2/SD = 1.324, GFI = 0.958, CFI = 0.944, TLI = 0.939, SRMR = 0.063). The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the total scale score was quite good (0.795). The ICC for test-retest reliability was good (0.874) for the total scale score.  Conclusion: The Turkish version of the Food Literacy Questionnaire for school children (FLQ-sc) is a valid and reliable measurement tool and can be used to evaluate food literacy levels in Turkish children aged 12-14. What is Known: • It is important to acquire knowledge and skills in food literacy from childhood because the behaviors learned during childhood and adolescence regarding food intake and preparation continue into adulthood. • In addition to the limited scales evaluating the food literacy levels of children, there is no scale evaluating the food literacy levels of Turkish children between the ages of 12 and 14. What is New: • The Turkish version of FLQ-sc is a valid and reliable scale for evaluating the food literacy levels of Turkish school children. • Scale is a suitable tool to ensure the comparison of food literacy levels in different student groups and measure abstract concepts such as education.

The relationship between nutrition literacy and nutrition information seeking attitudes and healthy eating patterns among a group of palestinians

INTRODUCTION

Nutrition literacy is crucial because it gives people information and drives them to take responsibility for their eating habits. Prior research on three categories of nutrition literacy among Palestinians was lacking: functional literacy (FNL), interactive literacy (INL), and critical literacy (CNL).

AIMS

(1) Describe three types of nutrition literacy-FNL, INL, and CNL-among a group of Palestinians was one of the study's primary objectives. (2) To investigate the connections between various nutrition literacy levels, eating habits, and the habit of seeking out nutrition-related information.

METHODS

149 Palestinians were chosen at random to take part in the study in the fall of 2020. Data on sociodemographic variables were gathered through an online survey that was disseminated across social and educational internet sites. Nutrition literacy data was gathered using a translated questionnaire, while diet behavior data was gathered using the Short Format of the Diet Health and Knowledge Survey (SFDHKS). The data were examined using SPSS 21.

RESULTS

This study included young people (20.4 ± 4.9 years old), 78% of whom were female. The majorities of participants had bachelor's degrees or were already enrolled in school to obtain them. FNL had a mean of 2.8 ± 0.5, INL of 3.3 ± 0.5, and CNL of 3.6 ± 0.5. The connection between CNL and INL was significant (p 0.05). Significant correlations were found between many aspects of diet behavior, the usage of food labels, and nutrition literacy.

CONCLUSION

Participants from the Palestinian community are willing to learn about and comprehend nutrition facts and how it relates to diet behavior in 2021.

What is the level of nutrition literacy of Saudi adolescents? A national wide exploratory cross-sectional study

Background

Despite being a prolific research topic, studies evaluating nutrition literacy in the Arab world are scant and still nonexistent in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Therefore, a national study was launched with the aim to (1) assess nutrition literacy among Saudi adolescents aged 10-19 years old and (2) determine its correlates.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was launched across all Saudi provinces between 29 April and 6 June 2022, enrolling a convenience sample of 2,115 adolescents (mean age = 16.8 ± 2.5; girls: 48.7%). An online self-administered questionnaire was disseminated to eligible participants to collect relevant data.

Results

Study findings showed that nearly half of the adolescents (44.6%) had poor nutrition literacy. The male gender doubled the risk of adolescents having poor nutrition literacy (OR = 2.0, CI = 1.5-2.5, p < 0.001). Northern border residents were 14 times more likely to be nutritionally illiterate, in contrast to adolescents residing in Riyadh (OR = 14.0, CI = 7.3-28.0, p < 0.001). Adolescents were more likely to be nutritionally illiterate if they were underweight or overweight (OR = 2.7, CI = 1.6-4.7, p < 0.001; OR = 2.2, CI = 1.7-2.9, p < 0.001). School students had 2 times more risk of having poor nutrition literacy, in contrast to those who were enrolled in universities (OR = 1.8, CI = 1.4-2.4, p < 0.001). Nutrition illiteracy was 4 times higher among adolescents having caregivers else than their parents (OR = 3.9, CI = 2.2-6.9, p < 0.001). Parental education level also contributed to determining adolescents' nutrition literacy status.

Conclusions

It has become essential to courage the development of supportive school environments in Saudi Arabia to promote nutrition education and improve adolescents' nutrition literacy. Without a doubt, this calls for taking a holistic approach on the part of education and health ministries, nutrition professionals, educators, parents, and, most importantly, the teenagers themselves, who must have the desire and motivation to learn.

Status and correlates of food and nutrition literacy among parents-adolescents' dyads: findings from 10 Arab countries

Background

Food literacy is capturing the attention worldwide and gaining traction in the Arab countries. Strengthening food and nutrition literacy among Arab teenagers are important promising empowering tools which can protect them from malnutrition. This study aims to assess the nutrition literacy status of adolescents with the food literacy of their parents in 10 Arab countries.

Methods

This cross-sectional study involving a convenient sample of 5,401 adolescent-parent dyads (adolescents: mean age ± SD: 15.9 ± 3.0, females: 46.8%; parents: mean age ± SD: 45.0 ± 9.1, mothers: 67.8%) was launched between 29 April and 6 June 2022 in 10 Arab nations. The Adolescent Nutrition Literacy Scale (ANLS) and the Short Food Literacy Questionnaire (SFLQ) were used to meet the study aims.

Results

More than one-quarter (28%) of adolescents had poor nutrition literacy, with 60% of their parents being food illiterate. The top three countries with nutritionally" less literate" adolescents were Qatar (44%), Lebanon (37.4%), and Saudi Arabia (34.9%). Adolescents' age, gender, education level, primary caregivers, employment status, and the inclusion of nutrition education in the schools' curriculum predicted the nutrition literacy levels of Arab adolescents. Besides, parental weight status, health status, parent's food literacy level, and the number of children per household were significant determinants too. Adolescents studying at a university and having parents with adequate food literacy had the highest odds of being nutritionally literate (OR = 4.5, CI = 1.8-11.5, p = 0.001, OR = 1.8, CI = 1.6-2.1, p < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion

Nutrition literacy inadequacy among Arab adolescents is a prioritized challenge to be tackled.

Parent's food literacy and adolescents nutrition literacy influence household's food security and adolescent's malnutrition and anemia: Findings from a national representative cross sectional study

Introduction

Food and nutrition literacy are widely fundamental to improve the food security and reduce the double burden of malnutrition and iron deficiency in low- and middle-income countries.

Objectives

This study aimed (1) to assess the nutrition literacy (NL) of Lebanese adolescents and their parents' food literacy (FL), (2) to investigate the impacts of adolescents' NL and parental FL on (a) the household food security, (b) the adolescents' self-reported food security, and (c) the adolescents' nutrition status with a focus on malnutrition and anemia.

Methods

A national representative sample of 450 parent-adolescent dyads [parents: mean age ± standard deviation (SD) = 46.0 ± 7.0, mothers: 59.0%; adolescents: mean age ± SD = 15.0 ± 3.0, girls: 54.6%] were interviewed. Anthropometric and blood hemoglobin measurements were performed for adolescents. The Arab Family Food Security Scale and the Adolescent-Level Food Security Scale were used.

Results

Around 45.0% of the adolescents were nutritionally illiterate, and nearly half (47.8%) of parents had poor FL. Around 68.2 and 54.0% of the households and adolescents were food insecure, respectively. Moreover, 6.7, 4.7, 32.2, and 16.7% of the adolescents were stunted, thin, overweight/obese, and anemic, respectively. Poor parental FL increased the risk of household food insecurity (FI) by 2.7 times, p < 0.001. Adolescents' nutrition illiteracy increased their FI risk by 60.0% (p = 0.02). The number of offspring, household income, crowding status, and participants' residence also influenced the percentage of FI and malnutrition prevalence among households and adolescents.

Conclusion

Improvements in FL and NL are promising to mitigate FI malnutrition in Lebanon.

Analysis of Association between Adolescents' Food Habits and Body Mass Change in a Population-Based Sample: Diet and Activity of Youth during COVID-19 (DAY-19) Study

The COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to food habit changes, including some negative ones that may increase the risk of overweight and obesity. The aim of the study was to analyze the association between adolescents' food habits, body mass change, as well as physical activity level in a population-based sample within the Diet and Activity of Youth during COVID-19 (DAY-19) Study. The DAY-19 Study was conducted in a cohort of 1333 students (aged 10-16 years) recruited in schools after stratified random quota sampling of primary schools (sampling counties within voivodeships and schools within counties) in June 2020. The food habits were assessed for the period of the COVID-19 pandemic and the period before the COVID-19 pandemic while using Adolescent Food Habits Checklist (AFHC). The body mass changes were assessed based on body weight and height for the period of the COVID-19 pandemic and the period before the COVID-19 pandemic while using Polish growth reference values. The physical activity changes were assessed based on the subjective assessment of adolescents. It was stated that for female adolescents declaring body mass gain during the COVID-19 pandemic the highest AFHC purchase scores (healthy purchase habits) (p < 0.0001) were accompanied by the lowest AFHC consumption score (unhealthy consumption habits) (p < 0.0001), as well as for female adolescents declaring physical activity decrease during the COVID-19 pandemic the highest AFHC purchase scores (healthy purchase habits) were observed (p = 0.0333). It was stated that for male adolescents declaring physical activity increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, the highest AFHC consumption scores (healthy consumption habits) were observed (p = 0.0003). In the case of a majority of participants, the general food habits were unchanged, which was observed mainly for food habits associated with food preparation. More food habits changes associated with the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in body mass changes were observed in females than in male adolescents. Body mass gain during the COVID-19 pandemic in adolescents may have resulted from unhealthy consumption habits, accompanied by decreased physical activity, in spite of the fact that this sub-group presented healthy purchase habits, which was observed especially for female adolescents.

Nutrition and Food Literacy in the MENA Region: A Review to Inform Nutrition Research and Policy Makers

BACKGROUND

Improving food and nutrition literacy is fundamental to tackling the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region's enormous challenges, including malnutrition and food insecurity. To direct initiatives, it is crucial to assess the region's food and nutrition literacy. Thus, we aimed to review studies on food/nutrition literacy status in the MENA countries and illuminate the region's research gaps in these areas, in terms of assessment, policy, and program implementation.

METHODS

PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched between 18 December and 8 May 2022, to identify relevant articles published up to 2022 in the MENA region.

RESULTS

Twelve studies were included in this review. Lebanon, Palestine, and Iran are the only three MENA countries where nutrition and/or food literacy were assessed. People in these countries mostly had inadequate food and/or nutrition literacy levels, especially in the skills rather than the cognitive domain. Food and/or nutrition literacy showed associations with food habits, food-label use, food-consumption patterns, school performance, food security, dietary diversity, and nutrient adequacy. The MENA countries developed no policies or programs to address food and nutrition literacy.

CONCLUSION

This review is a wake-up call for researchers and policymakers to develop a robust approach to combat food and nutrition literacy concerns in the MENA region.

Association Between Nutrition Literacy and Overweight/Obesity of Adolescents: A Cross–Sectional Study in Chongqing, China

Objective

The burden of overweight and obesity in adolescents is increasing rapidly. This study aimed to assess the association between nutrition literacy and overweight/obesity among adolescents in China.

Methods

This cross–sectional online study involving adolescents aged 10–18 years was conducted in September 2020 in 239 schools in Chongqing China. Overweight and obese adolescents were determined based on the International Obesity Task Force's recommended age–sex specific body mass index cutoff points. Nutrition literacy was measured using the “Nutrition literacy scale for middle school students in Chongqing (CM–NLS).” The CM–NLS included three subdomains (functional nutritional literacy, interactive nutrition literacy, and critical nutrition literacy). Multinomial logistic regression model was used to examine the association.

Results

A total of 18,176 adolescents (49.8% girls) were included. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 9.6% and 17.0%, respectively. Compared with those having a low nutrition literacy score (below median), those with a high score were less likely to be overweight and obese. The odds ratio (95% CI) for overweight was 0.87 (0.79–0.97) (nutrition literacy) and 0.81 (0.73–0.90) (functional nutritional literacy). The corresponding figures for obesity were 0.84 (0.77–0.91) and 0.73 (0.67–0.80), respectively. Significant interaction existed between grade and nutrition literacy. The inverse association between nutrition literacy and overweight/obesity was significant among those in senior school but not among those in junior high school.

Conclusion

Nutrition literacy was inversely associated with overweight/obesity among adolescents, especially those attending senior high schools.

Nutrition Literacy of Middle School Students and Its Influencing Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study in Chongqing, China

Nutrition literacy plays an important role in children's dietary habits and nutrition. This study aimed to analyse the status of nutrition literacy and its influencing factors amongst middle school students in Chongqing, China. “Nutrition literacy scale for middle school students in Chongqing” was used in 29 districts of Chongqing in September 2020. The scores of nutrition literacy and its' three sub-domains (functional, interactive and critical nutrition literacy) were divided into low and high groups based on their median scores. Binary logistic regression was used to measure the influencing factors of nutrition literacy. A total of 18,660 middle school students were included in this study. The median of nutrition literacy of middle school students was 61.68 (IQR = 14.37). Interactive nutrition literacy had the highest score (median = 70.00, IQR = 20.00), followed by functional nutrition literacy (median = 68.69, IQR = 14.14) and critical nutrition literacy (median = 45.83, IQR = 25.00). Students who were the minority (OR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.637–0.785), in senior high school (OR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.477–0.548), in rural areas (OR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.790–0.911), receiving school meal support from the government (OR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.591–0.664), with other caregivers' parenting (OR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.805–0.914), with parents having a low level of education and with an abnormal BMI [thin (OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.837–0.990), overweight (OR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.785–0.968), and obese (OR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.767–0.902)] presented less probability of being a high level of nutrition literacy. Our results could assist public health authorities in developing strategies of nutrition literacy promotion for references and theoretical foundations.

What Is the Impact of Nutrition Literacy Interventions on Children's Food Habits and Nutrition Security? A Scoping Review of the Literature

Introduction: Nutrition literacy is a relatively new concept that seems to have a relevant role on the quality of people’s diets; however, we do not know the role of nutrition literacy interventions on children’s food habits and nutrition security. Methods: We conducted a literature review on four databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane) and we considered studies describing the impact of interventions aimed at improving the quality of children’s diet. Results: A total of six articles were finally included. The total number of participants included in the studies was 4016, and the median study size was equal to 224 participants. Studies included in the review reflected a broad heterogeneity of interventions. Conclusions: The results were contrasting and revealed that the most effective type of nutrition literacy interventions included the following characteristics: technological components, involvement with multiple modalities, duration of more than 4 weeks, and face to face sessions.

Nutrition Literacy Mediates the Relationships between Multi-Level Factors and College Students' Healthy Eating Behavior: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Study

College students experience new pressures and choices as they transition to independent living and can easily develop unhealthy eating habits, resulting in obesity and obesity-related chronic diseases in later life. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that nutrition literacy (NL) mediated the relationship between multi-level factors influencing healthy eating behavior identified from the social-ecological model and healthy eating behavior of college students. A four-part questionnaire was completed by 412 participants recruited from six different four-year universities in Taiwan (effective response rate = 85.8%). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, an independent samples t-test, hierarchical multiple regression, and mediation analysis. The results indicated that the students’ mean nutrition literacy score was 4.32 (SD = 0.78, range = 1–6). In the social-ecological framework, nutrition literacy significantly predicted healthy eating behavior (β = 0.28, p < 0.001; ΔF = 32.54, p < 0.001; ΔR² = 0.05) with control variables of background, intrapersonal, interpersonal, environmental, and macrosystem factors. Nutrition literacy mediated the effects of seven factors on healthy eating behavior across four levels. These findings suggested that strengthening influential multi-level factors associated with healthy eating behavior not only enhanced NL, but also improved individuals’ healthy eating behavior.