Relationship between health literacy and fast food consumption: A population-based study from southern Iran

Abstract

Background Having appropriate health literacy may affect the consumption of fast food. We aimed to evaluate the effect of health literacy on fast food consumption among the general population.Methods We evaluated health literacy and fast food consumption using an appropriate questionnaire in 421 adult participants with the age range of 18-65 years old in Fasa city, Fars Province, southern Iran. Two-step cluster sampling and, then, systematic sampling were performed. Data collection was done through demographic information questionnaire, checklist on fast food consumption, and the Health Literacy for Iranian Adults (HELIA) questionnaire. Data were harvested by face-to-face conversations. Population data across groups with/without fast food intake were compared.Results Most of our participants used fast food every few months (49.9%). People with low or unstable income consumed more fast food than others (P<0.05). Sandwich and hotdog were the most consumed fast food (60.8%) and pizza was in the next step (34.9%). Sausage and soda were the most seasoning food (66.7%). Most of our participants used fast food as dinner (67.9%) and along with their family (72.2%), suggesting the institutionalized consumption of this type of food in the family. Fun was the most frequent reason for the use of fast food (66.5%). Most of the participants completely knew about the raw materials for fast food and their adverse effects. Finally, we found that health literacy among those who used fast food was less than those who did not consumed fast food. This difference was also observed in the subscales of reading skills, critique, and decision-making.Conclusion Differences in health literacy and its components may affect fast food consumption. In addition, there was a negative relationship between health literacy and fast food consumption, which was also observed in reading skills, critique, and decision-making.

Associations between diet quality and obesity in a nationally representative sample of Iranian households: A cross‐sectional study

“…23,24 Furthermore, the dietary data were collected based on food prepared in the home and thus did not include foods eaten outside of the home, including restaurant and fast foods, that are linked with weight gain. 35 A second limitation is that this study is cross-sectional and is susceptible to reverse causality when assessing associations between diet quality and obesity. Moreover, evidence suggests that individuals with overweight and obesity are more likely to under-report food intakes.…”