Nutritional Behaviors, Health Literacy, and Health Locus of Control of Secondary Schoolers in Southern Poland: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Nutritional behaviors remain an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. It seems obvious that unfavorable health behaviors adopted in adolescence are maintained late in adulthood and may have a profound effect on health status. The main aim of this study was to assess the association between nutritional behaviors and health literacy (HL), health locus of control (HLC), and socioeconomic variables in secondary school pupils from a voivodship (the main unit of territorial division) in southern Poland. The analysis was based on dataTable from a paper-and-pencil survey taken by 2223 pupils from schools selected as the result of cluster sampling. The survey questionnaire encompassed a set of five items asking about dietary patterns and the consumption of fruit and vegetables as well as fast food, a European Health Literacy Project Questionnaire consisting of 47 items, the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) scale, and items asking about sociodemographic and economic variables. Uni- and multivariate logistic regression models have been developed to assess the predictors of indicator nutrition behaviors. The adjusted models revealed that internal HLC was not significantly associated with any of analyzed nutritional behaviors. “Powerful other HLC” and “Chance HLC” (dimension of external HLC) were significant predictors of the selected dietary patterns. Furthermore, higher HL was associated with higher consumption of fruit and vegetables [odds ratio, 95% confidence interval (OR, 95% CI)]: 1.02 (1.01–1.04) and with lower consumption of fast food (OR, 95% CI, 0.98, 0.95–0.999). There was a significant relationship between gender, the size of the household, self-assessed economic situation, expenditures on mobile phones, and weekly duration of Internet use and selected nutrition behaviors. In conclusion, developed regression models confirmed a significant relationship between HL and the types of consumed food, but not with dieting patterns. Contrary to earlier studies, internal HLC was not associated with nutrition behaviors. In our study, boys showed more favorable nutritional behaviors than girls. More intense use of the Internet was associated with less beneficial nutritional behaviors. This study brings important results that should have an impact on health promotion interventions addressed to adolescents in southern Poland.

Can Nutritional Status in Adults Be Influenced by Health Locus of Control?

“…On the contrary, it seems that a high level of external HLC observed in subjects with overweight conditions or obesity, especially in women, may be associated with higher susceptibility to stress [ 19 ] and this may cause emotional eating [ 31 ]. Recent studies by Duplaga et al [ 32 ] showed that the scores of secondary school adolescents with higher external HLC with the impact of others show that they are more likely to consume fast food, which supports our findings. An external HLC with the impact of others in participants with obesity seems to have a negative effect on changing lifestyle and lead to constant seeking for a “proper” physician.…”

Estilo De Vida E Letramento Em Saúde Entre Universitários: A Inter-Relação De Fatores Associados

“…dos participantes e a prejudicar os estudos de 24% 40 . Ademais, o uso intenso do computador foi relacionado com comportamentos nutricionais menos benéficos, uma alta prevalência de sintomas mentais e musculoesqueléticos entre estudantes, mais prevalentes entre alunos do quarto ano, em comparação com os do segundo ano 24,29,41 .…”

Promoting Sustainable Lifestyle Habits: “Real Food” and Social Media in Spain

“…The study has been developed in Spain, but it can be observed that the message conveyed by the influencer is slowly reaching international markets. This may be because the real food trend covers a hot topic in many Western countries, mainly the health problems associated with a change in diet towards more ultra-processed food [ 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 ]. Most of the time, the information shared by different bodies is confusing and even contradictory, which brings about confusion among consumers.…”

“…Considering these results, we encourage companies to listen to both the influencers and followers, include and give them active roles in the design of their products, and create solutions for this group of consumers, which is growing exponentially, especially among young people [ 41 ]. Therefore, a wide range of possibilities exist for companies to listen to food-related trends online and design suitable alternatives for them.…”