Evaluation of nutrition literacy and nutrition knowledge level in nursing students: a study from Turkey

Abstract

Objective The determination of nutritional knowledge and nutrition literacy among nursing students will enable nursing departments to establish the needs and solutions to enhance nutrition education in their education programs. Therefore, this study is aimed to evaluate the nutrition literacy and nutrition knowledge level of nursing students. Method The study data were collected with ‘Information Form’, ‘Anthropometric Measurements’, ‘Nutrition Knowledge Level Scale for Adults’, and ‘Evaluation Instrument of Nutrition Literacy on Adults’. Analyzes were performed using descriptive and nonparametric tests. Results The score of nutrition knowledge is 56.6 ± 6.8 and 50.5% of them have a good nutrition knowledge level. The total nutrition literacy score is 28.6 ± 4.4 and 91.6% of them have a sufficient nutrition literacy level. It was no significant difference between students’ characteristic features and nutrition knowledge score and nutrition literacy total score (p > 0.05). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the nutrition knowledge score and the nutrition literacy total score and the nutrition literacy sub-sections scores (p < 0.05). Conclusion It has been determined that the nutrition knowledge and nutrition literacy levels of nursing students correlated with each other. To improve students’ nutrition knowledge levels, as well as to improve their nutrition literacy and prevent non-communicable diseases nutrition lessons should be included in the curriculum.

Assessing the relationship between nutrition literacy and eating behaviors among nursing students: A cross-sectional study

“…This suggests that individuals with ideal levels of nutrition knowledge can take better care of their health more effectively [19]. In a study by Mengi Çelik et al, who evaluated nutrition literacy among nursing students in Turkey, 91.6% of them had sufficient levels of nutrition literacy [20]. Additionally, in a study by Bahramfard et al, who assessed the status of nutrition literacy and related factors among medical students in Iran, nursing students had sufficient levels of nutrition literacy but showed significant weaknesses in determining their own eating regimen [21].…”

“…Therefore, promoting approaches that consider healthy food consumption for preventing non-communicable diseases and their associated complications is crucial. One of the most important solutions in this regard is increasing the nutritional literacy of individuals in society, especially nursing students [20]. Nursing students regularly provide nutritional guidance and assessments and play an important role in educating people about their eating behaviors.…”

“…A survey in European countries reported that nutrition education is necessary in 69% of medical universities, indicating insufficient inclusion of nutrition education in their curricula [24]. Therefore, nursing students aim to improve their nutritional literacy level, adopt healthy eating behaviors, and prevent the need for nutrition-related courses in nursing curricula [20]. Before implementing any nutrition education program, assessing the level of nutritional literacy is essential.…”

“…Before implementing any nutrition education program, assessing the level of nutritional literacy is essential. In fact, effective education results from appropriate intervention based on the target group's nutritional literacy [20,21].…”

“…Low nutritional literacy is one of the main barriers to providing sufficient and high-quality nutrition care to patients [27]. Nursing students are defined as a young population [20], and understanding the determinants of healthy nutrition and paying more attention to nutrition education in this group is essential [21]. Given that most studies conducted in Iran focus on examining nutritional literacy and eating behaviors among adults and patients, limited research has been done on the relationship between eating behaviors and nutritional literacy among nursing students.…”