Abstract
Adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet is associated with improved health outcomes in kidney transplant recipients (KTR). However, poor dietary habits, including excessive sodium intake, are common in KTR, indicating difficulties with incorporating a healthy diet into daily life. Food literacy is identified as potential facilitator of a healthy diet, but the precise relationship between food literacy and dietary intake in KTR has not been investigated. This study examined food literacy levels in KTR and its association with adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet and sodium intake. This cross-sectional study is part of the TransplantLines Cohort and Biobank Study. Food literacy was measured with the Self-Perceived Food Literacy (SPFL) questionnaire. Dietary intake assessment with food frequency questionnaires was used to calculate the Mediterranean Diet Score. Sodium intake was based on the 24-hour urinary sodium excretion rate. Associations of SPFL with Mediterranean Diet Score and sodium intake were assessed with univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses. In total, 148 KTR (age 56 [48-66]; 56% male) completed the SPFL questionnaire with a mean SPFL score of 3.63±0.44. Higher SPFL was associated with a higher Mediterranean Diet Score in KTR (β = 1.51, 95% confidence interval 0.88-2.12, P ≤ .001). Although KTR with higher food literacy tended to have a lower sodium intake than those with lower food literacy (P=.08), the association of food literacy with sodium intake was not significant in a multivariable regression analysis (β= 0.52 per 10mmol/24-hour increment, 95% confidence interval -1.79 to 2.83, P=.66). Higher levels of food literacy are associated with better adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet in KTR. No association between food literacy and sodium intake was found. Further studies are needed to determine if interventions on improving food literacy contribute to a healthier diet and better long-term outcomes in KTR.
Highlights
Comparing the main baseline characteristics of non-respondents with respondents of the Self-Perceived Food Literacy (SPFL) and Aspects of Health Literacy Scale (AAHLS) questionnaire, non-respondents were significantly younger compared to the respondents
Kidney transplant recipients (KTR) with higher food literacy levels had a significantly higher Mediterranean Diet Score compared with those with lower food literacy levels, which is reflected by a higher fruit, vegetable, and fish consumption
KTR with lower food literacy levels were less often involved in meal preparation
Summary
KIDNEY TRANSPLANTATION IS the treatment of choice for patients with end-stage kidney disease, with a better quality of life and life expectancy compared with those receiving dialysis treatment.[1,2] the life expectancy is still considerably lower compared with the general population, which is mainly due to high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.[1,3,4] Kidney transplant recipients (KTR) often have an unfavorable cardiovascular risk profile, which is characterized by post-transplantation weight gain, obesity, metabolic syndrome, posttransplantation diabetes mellitus (PTDM), and hypertension.[5,6,7,8,9,10]In line with the general and other high-risk populations, a healthy diet, characterized by variety of wholegrain products, fruit and vegetables, nuts, legumes, lean meats and fish, as well as the avoidance of excessive sodium intake, is associated with lower cardiovascular risks in KTR.[11,12,13,14,15,16]Previous studies showed that better adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet is associated with a lower risk of PTDM and all-cause mortality as well as better kidney function outcomes in KTR.[16,17] small. KIDNEY TRANSPLANTATION IS the treatment of choice for patients with end-stage kidney disease, with a better quality of life and life expectancy compared with those receiving dialysis treatment.[1,2] the life expectancy is still considerably lower compared with the general population, which is mainly due to high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.[1,3,4] Kidney transplant recipients (KTR) often have an unfavorable cardiovascular risk profile, which is characterized by post-transplantation weight gain, obesity, metabolic syndrome, posttransplantation diabetes mellitus (PTDM), and hypertension.[5,6,7,8,9,10].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
