Nutrition literacy in Adults and Its Related Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study in Kohgiloyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, Iran

Nutrition literacy is defined as the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain process, understand and use nutritional information to make an appropriate decision about nutritional behaviors. This study aimed to determine the nutrition literacy status of 4000 adults, aged 15 years and older, in Kohgiloye and BoyerAhmad province in 2017.

In this cross-sectional study, 4000 adults were selected based on multi-stage sampling method to evaluate their nutrition literacy. Data were collected using standard nutritional literacy assessment questionnaire adapted for Iran population. Chi-square, T tests, one-way ANOVA and regression analysis were applied for data analysis.

Mean and standard deviation of nutrition literacy scores were 21.61 ± 6.42 (minimum and maximum score: 0-35). 8.4% of subjects had inadequate nutrition literacy, 37.4% had adequate nutrition literacy and 54.2 % had moderate nutrition literacy. Basic knowledge of nutrition, ability to select food groups and understanding skills were stronger predictors of nutrition literacy.

Most of subjects had moderate nutrition literacy. Therefore, the people with adequate nutrition literacy will be increased, if an effective intervention method will properly develop and implement to improve the nutritional literacy. In developing this intervention method, focus on basic knowledge of nutrition, ability to choose food groups and understanding skills are necessary.