Does Health Literacy Affect Fruit and Vegetable Consumption? An Assessment of the Relationship between Health Literacy and Dietary Practices Among College Students.

  • Alison Oberne
  • , Cheryl Vamos
  • , Lauri Wright
  • , Wei Wang
  • , Ellen Daley

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objective To explore the association between health literacy and fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption among college students. Participants: In 2018, undergraduate students from a large, southeastern university were recruited to participate in this study. Methods: Participants (n = 436) completed an online survey assessing health literacy, F&V intake, and personal, situational, and societal and environmental determinants of health literacy. Results: There was a significant association between general health literacy, F(2, 161.54) = 6.52, p < .001; disease prevention health literacy, F(2, 214.22) = 4.788, p < .01; and health promotion health literacy, F(2, 138.35) = 5.53, p < .01 with F&V consumption. Students with excellent health literacy consumed significantly more fruits and vegetables than students with limited health literacy. Conclusions: Health literacy may play an important role in F&V consumption among college students. Future research should explore the relationship between the health literacy and dietary practice decision-making to inform intervention development among college students.
Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)131-141
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of American College Health
Volume70
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 9 2020

Keywords

  • Diet
  • health literacy
  • health promotion

Disciplines

  • Environmental Health
  • Psychology

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