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

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.