scholarly journals Exploring the relationship between health literacy and fast food consumption: a population-based study from southern Iran

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Azam Namdar ◽  
Mohammad Mehdi Naghizadeh ◽  
Marziyeh Zamani ◽  
Ali Montazeri

Abstract Background Health literacy (HL) may affect the consumption of fast food. We aimed to evaluate the effect of HL on fast food consumption among adult populations in Iran. Methods We evaluated HL and fast food consumption in 421 adult participants with age range of 18–65 years old in Fasa, Fars Province, southern Iran. Two-step cluster and systematic sampling was performed to recruit the study sample. Data were collected using a fast food consumption checklist, and the Health Literacy Instrument for Adults (HELIA) by face-to-face interviews. Population data across groups with and without fast food intake were compared. Results Most participants used fast food every few months (49.9%). People with low or unstable income consumed more fast food than others (P < 0.05). Sandwich and hotdog were the most consumed fast food (60.8%) followed by pizza (34.9%). Sausage and soda were the most seasoning food (66.7%). Most participants used fast food as dinner (67.9%) and with family (72.2%), suggesting the institutionalized consumption of this type of food in the family. Fun was the most frequent reason for the use of fast food (66.5%). Most participants completely knew about the raw materials for fast food and their adverse effects. Finally, we found that overall health literacy was lower among those who used fast food than those who did not. Consumed fast food (68.16 ± 23.85 vs. 73.15 ± 20.15; p = 0.021). This difference was also observed for some components of health literacy including reading skills, and decision-making subscales. Conclusions The findings suggest there is a negative relationship between general health literacy and fast food consumption indicating that who possess lower level of health literacy is likely to consume more fast food. Specifically, the findings suggest that reading skills, and decision-making (behavioral intention) are more associated with decreased or increased fast food intake.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Azam Namdar ◽  
Mohammad Mehdi Naghizadeh ◽  
Ali Montazeri ◽  
Marziyeh Zamani

Abstract Background: Having appropriate health literacy may affect the consumption of fast food. We aimed to evaluate the effect of health literacy on fast food consumption among the adult populations.Methods: We evaluated health literacy and fast food consumption using an appropriate questionnaire in 421 adult participants with the age range of 18-65 years old in Fasa city, Fars Province, southern Iran. Two-step cluster sampling and, then, systematic sampling were performed. Data collection was done through demographic information questionnaire, checklist on fast food consumption, and the Health Literacy for Iranian Adults (HELIA) questionnaire. Data were harvested by face-to-face conversations. Population data across groups with/without fast food intake were compared.Results: Most of our participants used fast food every few months (49.9%). People with low or unstable income consumed more fast food than others (P<0.05). Sandwich and hotdog were the most consumed fast food (60.8%) and pizza was in the next step (34.9%). Sausage and soda were the most seasoning food (66.7%). Most of our participants used fast food as dinner (67.9%) and along with their family (72.2%), suggesting the institutionalized consumption of this type of food in the family. Fun was the most frequent reason for the use of fast food (66.5%). Most of the participants completely knew about the raw materials for fast food and their adverse effects. Finally, we found that health literacy among those who used fast food was less than those who did not consumed fast food. This difference was also observed in the subscales of reading skills, critique, and decision-making.Conclusions: It seems differences in health literacy and its components can affect fast food consumption. In addition, there was a negative relationship between health literacy and fast food consumption, which was also observed in reading skills, critique, and decision-making.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Azam Namdar ◽  
Mohammad Mehdi Naghizadeh ◽  
Marziyeh Zamani ◽  
Ali Montazeri

Abstract Background Having appropriate health literacy may affect the consumption of fast food. We aimed to evaluate the effect of health literacy on fast food consumption among the general population.Methods We evaluated health literacy and fast food consumption using an appropriate questionnaire in 421 adult participants with the age range of 18-65 years old in Fasa city, Fars Province, southern Iran. Two-step cluster sampling and, then, systematic sampling were performed. Data collection was done through demographic information questionnaire, checklist on fast food consumption, and the Health Literacy for Iranian Adults (HELIA) questionnaire. Data were harvested by face-to-face conversations. Population data across groups with/without fast food intake were compared.Results Most of our participants used fast food every few months (49.9%). People with low or unstable income consumed more fast food than others (P<0.05). Sandwich and hotdog were the most consumed fast food (60.8%) and pizza was in the next step (34.9%). Sausage and soda were the most seasoning food (66.7%). Most of our participants used fast food as dinner (67.9%) and along with their family (72.2%), suggesting the institutionalized consumption of this type of food in the family. Fun was the most frequent reason for the use of fast food (66.5%). Most of the participants completely knew about the raw materials for fast food and their adverse effects. Finally, we found that health literacy among those who used fast food was less than those who did not consumed fast food. This difference was also observed in the subscales of reading skills, critique, and decision-making.Conclusion Differences in health literacy and its components may affect fast food consumption. In addition, there was a negative relationship between health literacy and fast food consumption, which was also observed in reading skills, critique, and decision-making.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alireza Didarloo ◽  
Surur Khalili ◽  
Ahmad Ali Aghapour ◽  
Seyed Mortaza Mousavi

Abstract Background Today, with the advancement of science, technology and industry, people's lifestyles such as the pattern of people's food, have changed from traditional foods to fast foods. The aim of this survey was to examine and identify factors influencing intent to use fast foods and behavior of fast food intake among students based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 229 university students. The study sample was selected and entered to the study using stratified random sampling method. Data were collected using a four-part questionnaire including Participants’ characteristics, knowledge, the TPB variables, and fast food consumption behavior. The study data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 16.0) using descriptive statistics (frequencies, Means, and Standard Deviation) and inferential statistics (t-test, Chi-square, correlation coefficient and multiple regressions). Results The monthly frequency of fast food consumption among students was reported 2.7 times. The TPB explained 35%, 23% variance of intent to use fast food and behavior of fast food intake, respectively. Among the TPB variables, knowledge (r=.340, p<0.001) and subjective norm (r=.318, p<0.001) were known as important predictors of intention to consume fast foods - In addition, based on regression analyses, intention (r=.215, p<0.05), perceived behavioral control (r=.205, p<0.05), and knowledge (r=.127, p<0.05) were related to fast food consumption, and these relationships were statistically significant. Conclusions The current study showed that the TPB is a good theory in predicting intent to use fast food and the actual behavior. It is supposed that health educators use from the present study results in designing appropriate interventions to improve nutritional status of students.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alireza Didarloo ◽  
Surur Khalili ◽  
Ahmad Ali Aghapour ◽  
Seyed Mortaza Mousavi

Abstract BackgroundToday, with the advancement of science, technology and industry, people's lifestyles such as the pattern of people's food, have changed from traditional foods to fast foods. The aim of this survey was to examine and identify factors influencing intent to use fast foods and behavior of fast food intake among students based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB). MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 229 university students. The study sample was selected and entered to the study using stratified random sampling method. Data were collected using a four-part questionnaire including Participants’ characteristics, knowledge, the TPB variables, and fast food consumption behavior. The study data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 16.0) using descriptive statistics (frequencies, Means, and Standard Deviation) and inferential statistics (t-test, Chi-square, correlation coefficient and multiple regressions).ResultsThe monthly frequency of fast food consumption among students was reported 2.7 times. The TPB explained 35%, 23% variance of intent to use fast food and behavior of fast food intake, respectively. Among the TPB variables, knowledge (r=.340, p<0.001) and subjective norm (r=.318, p<0.001) were known as important predictors of intention to consume fast foods - In addition, based on regression analyses, intention (r=.215, p<0.05), perceived behavioral control (r=.205, p<0.05), and knowledge (r=.127, p<0.05) were related to fast food consumption, and these relationships were statistically significant. ConclusionsThe current study showed that the TPB is a good theory in predicting intent to use fast food and the actual behavior. It is supposed that health educators use from the present study results in designing appropriate interventions to improve nutritional status of students.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Hossein Rouhani ◽  
Maryam Mirseifinezhad ◽  
Nasrin Omrani ◽  
Ahmad Esmaillzadeh ◽  
Leila Azadbakht

Background and Objective. Few data are available linking fast food intake to diet quality in developing countries. This study was conducted to determine the association between fast food consumption and diet quality as well as obesity among Isfahani girls.Methods. This cross-sectional study was done among 140 Iranian adolescents selected by the use of systematic cluster random sampling. Dietary intakes were assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Diet quality was defined based on energy density and nutrient adequacy ratios (NARs).Results. Individuals in the highest quartile of fast food intake had significantly lower NARs for vitamin B1(P=0.008), phosphorus (P=0.0250), selenium (P<0.001)and vitamin B2(P=0.012) compared with those in the lowest quartile. Those in top quartile of fast food intake consumed more energy-dense diets than those in the bottom quartile (P=0.022). High intakes of fast foods were significantly associated with overweight (top quartile: 40% versus bottom quartile: 0%,P=0.0001) and obesity (11.4% versus 2.9%,P=0.0001).Conclusion. Fast food consumption is associated with poor diet quality and high prevalence of overweight and obesity among Isfahani adolescents. Prospective data are required to confirm these findings.


Author(s):  
Naomi Nichele Duke

Much of what is known about food insecurity (FI) experiences for young people is based on caregiver report. As such, our understanding of relationships between youth FI and dietary intake (DI) may be limited, particularly among adolescents who often eat away from home. This study examined relationships between youth-reported past-month FI, past-week DI, and school lunch behavior. Data are from middle and high school participants in the 2019 Minnesota Student Survey (N = 125,375), one of the longest-running youth surveys in the US. Logistic regression assessed relationships between FI and DI, including fruit, vegetable, milk, sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB), and fast food consumption, and school lunch behavior, adjusting for demographic, physical, and emotional health indicators. Past-month FI was associated with reduced odds of meeting minimum thresholds for daily fruit, vegetable, and milk intake, and increased odds of daily SSB and frequent fast food consumption. Among food-insecure students, no participation in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or NSLP participation uncertainty was associated with increased odds of skipping lunch. Findings suggest the importance of clinical and community innovations to prevent the loss of nutritional quality in favor of energy density for youth and families experiencing FI.


Appetite ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 349-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirsten I. Dunn ◽  
Philip Mohr ◽  
Carlene J. Wilson ◽  
Gary A. Wittert

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