Does health literacy affect fruit and vegetable consumption? An assessment of the relationship between health literacy and dietary practices among college students

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2020

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.

Publication Title

Journal of American College Health

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1080/07448481.2020.1727911

PubMed ID

32150517

ISSN

07448481

E-ISSN

19403208

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