Low food and nutrition literacy (FNLIT): a barrier to dietary diversity and nutrient adequacy in school age children

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to assess the relationship between Food and Nutrition Literacy (FNLIT) and dietary diversity score (DDS); FNLIT and nutrient adequacy (NAR%, MAR%) in school-age children in Iran. Results: This cross-sectional study was undertaken on 803 primary school students in Tehran, Iran. Socioeconomic , as well as three 24-h dietary recalls were collected through interviewing students and their mothers/caregivers. FNLIT was measured by a self-administered locally designed and validated questionnaire. Low level of FFNL was significantly associated with higher odds of low DDS (OR = 2.19, 95% CI 1.32-3.62), the first tertile of fruit diversity score (OR = 3.88, 95% CI 2.14-6.99), and the first tertile of dairy diversity score (OR = 9.60, 95% CI 2.07-44.58). Low level of IFNL was significantly associated with probability of lower meat diversity score (OR = 1.73, 95% CI 1.07-2.81). Low level of FLL was also significantly associated with probability of lower DDS (OR = 1.81, 95% CI 1.11-2.94), dairy diversity score (OR = 2.01, 95% CI 1.02-3.98), and meat diversity score (OR = 2.14, 95% CI 1.32-3.45).Low FNLIT and its subscales were associated with higher odds of low level of NAR of protein, calcium, vitamin B3, B6, B9, as well as the probability of lower level of MAR.

Insights into the Predictors of Attitude toward Entomophagy: The Potential Role of Health Literacy: A Cross-Sectional Study Conducted in a Sample of Students of the University of Florence

“…Individuals’ HL is reached when they become able to understand and use health information, and this contributes to the community’s proficiency in managing and defending their own and other people’s health [ 55 , 56 ]. Furthermore, in the field of food health, the evidence suggests that the adoption of the correct behavior and attitude is related to high levels of an individual’s literacy in this field [ 24 , 25 , 27 ]. Overall, the majority of our sample, despite being university students, showed problematic or inadequate levels of HL (59.2% showed a problematic level of HL, while 19.8% had an inadequate level of HL), and only 12.9% of the group had adequate HL.…”

“…In the Italian context, some comforting data have shown a high mean HL score in the population, with inadequate levels of HL in a relatively small proportion of the population [ 23 ]. Several authors have discussed the relationship between the specific form of HL, food resilience behavior, and attitudes [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ] adopted by individuals; nevertheless, how and if HL could influence entomophagy willingness is still unexplored.…”

Exploring the relationship between health literacy and fast food consumption: a population-based study from southern Iran

“…Previous research showed that high food literacy was associated with increased consumption of fruits and vegetables; and low level of food and nutrition literacy was associated with nutritional inadequacy in the school-age children [ 12 – 14 ]. In addition, it has been suggested that significantly higher nutrition knowledge exists among the persons with adequate HL [ 15 ].…”

Relationship between Household Food Insecurity and Food and Nutrition Literacy among Children of 9-12 years of age: a cross-sectional study in a city of Iran

“…Studies have revealed that food literacy/nutrition literacy can play a critical role in shaping children's dietary behaviors (5,6) and enabling them to make healthy food choices that can be sustained later in life (7)(8)(9). Low FNLIT is associated with nutritional inadequacy in school-age children and it seems to be a barrier for them to assess information when choosing foods, comprehend food labels, and apply dietary recommendations (10). Therefore, identifying the factors that could affect food literacy in children is a necessary approach to promote healthy eating patterns and subsequently, to reduce the burden of diet-related diseases in the long-term.…”

“…Some ndings have shown that development of food and nutrition literacy components among children including learning about traditional food practices from elders, parents and families members, new food exposure, learning about seasonality and local foods, and food preparation skills as well as food and drink purchasing skills through improving reading and using tra c light and food labels, students grocery store/supermarket tours make meaningful improve to children food choices. This contributes to food utilization as a key dimension of food security (10,12).…”