Abstract

ABSTRACT

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to evaluate relationship between food literacy level of adult individuals and their nutritional habits.

Materials-Methods: The study was conducted on 260 volunteers aged 19-64 years. In order to evaluate nutritional habits of the participants, frequency of meals and food consumption was questioned. The Self-Perceived Food Literacy Scale (SPFL) was used to evaluate the food literacy of individuals. A minimum of 29 and a maximum of 145 points can be obtained from the scale, and an increase in score indicates an increase in level of food literacy. In statistical analysis of data, p<0.05 was considered significant.

Results: Of the participants, 84 (32.3%) were male and 176 (67.7%) were female, with a mean ages of 34.9±13.29 years. The average food literacy score of individuals is 88.2±12.30. It was determined that food literacy score of women was significantly higher than that of men (p<0.05). While 116 (44.6%) of individuals skipped main meal, it was determined that main meal they skipped the most was lunch with 50.9%. A positive statistically significant difference was found between food literacy score and number of main meals, frequency of consumption of milk-yogurt, red meat, fresh vegetables and fruits (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The determination of a positive relationship between the level of food literacy and positive nutritional habits reveals that it is important and necessary to increase food literacy level of individuals throughout society.

Keywords: Food literacy, nutritional habits, healthy nutrition.