Food, Nutritional Status and Health Literacy

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Azores is an autonomous region of Portugal situated in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. As a catchment area of cultural identity, it can be an interesting setting to better understand Health Literacy (HL) personal & community development. Therefore developing ChildRen and ADolescents’ health Literacy (CrAdLiSa) become a local government strategy for all children and adolescents in the region. The aim of this study, is to explore the relationship between several components of adolescents living in Azores, like sustainable life style, focusing food, nutritional status, e.g. water intake (WI), and HL. With this situation diagnosis local authorities aim to develop policies towards HL increment while fighting health disparities. Methods A population (N = 852) cross-sectional study included (n = 515)) children enrolled in the 7th school year 2018/2019 of six schools in Ponta Delgada, Azores. Several indicators like anthropometric data, water intake, HL levels (using the HLS-EU-PT questionnaire) were collected with the CrAdLiSa online self-administered questionnaire. Results The instrument to measure HL (HLS-EU-PT) (Cronbach's alpha coefficient 0,94) allowed to consider that there is an association between HL and WI (p = 0,029), i.e. children with higher levels of HL have greater WI as they have a broader perception of the adequate amount of water needed to be healthy. Discussion These results continue to explore CrAdLiSa study, to better inform with ground base data policy makers regarding HL development.