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BMC Public Health
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Open Access 01-12-2023 | Nutrition | Research

High nutrition literacy linked with low frequency of take-out food consumption in chinese college students

Authors: Qi Qi, Qing Sun, Ling Yang, Yan Cui, Jing Du, Huaqing Liu

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2023

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Abstract

Background

The excessive consumption of take-out food has increased the risk of nutrition-related chronic diseases. Nutrition literacy (NL) is an important influencing factor of food choice. This study aimed to explore the relationship between nutrition literacy and take-out food consumption.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 2130 college students in Bengbu, China. A self-reported questionnaire that included demographic information, lifestyle behavior, take-out food consumption, and nutrition literacy scale was used. Ordinal logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between nutrition literacy and take-out food consumption.

Results

Of the students surveyed, 61.5% consumed take-out food at least once a week. NL was significantly associated with the frequency of take-out food consumption ≥ 4 times/week (OR = 0.995, 95% CI = 0.990-1.000); the difference specifically was discovered for applying skills, interactive skills, and critical skills. Moreover, students with high level NL ate less (Spicy) hot pot (OR = 0.996, 95% CI = 0.992-1.000), but more vegetable and fruit salad (OR = 1.009, 95% CI = 1.002–1.015).

Conclusions

NL, especially in applying skills, interactive skills, and critical skills, is not only associated with consumption frequency of take-out food among college students, but also links with types of take-out food consumption. Our findings emphasize that targeted interventions on nutritional skills literacy should be needed to improve dietary behaviors for student’s good health.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
High nutrition literacy linked with low frequency of take-out food consumption in chinese college students
Authors
Qi Qi
Qing Sun
Ling Yang
Yan Cui
Jing Du
Huaqing Liu
Publication date
01-12-2023
Publisher
BioMed Central
Keyword
Nutrition
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2023
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-16078-9

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