Evaluation of the relationship between nutrition literacy and healthy nutrition attitude and diet quality in secondary school students

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between nutrition literacy, healthy eating attitudes, and diet quality among secondary school students. Method: The research was conducted between September 2023 and May 2024 with 257 students aged 13–14 who met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled in centrally located schools affiliated with the Kaş District Directorate of National Education in Antalya. Students' socio-demographic characteristics, dietary habits, nutrition literacy levels, and attitudes toward healthy eating were evaluated, and anthropometric measurements were recorded. In addition, 24-hour dietary recall data were collected retrospectively to determine diet quality. Results: 49,4% (n=127) of the students who participated in the study, were female and 50,6% (n=130) were male; the majority of the group (73,2%) were 14 years old. The mean score on the Adolescent Nutrition Literacy Scale was 67,91±10,85, while the mean score on the Healthy Eating Attitude Scale was 70,65±9,40. The average score on the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED) was 5,08±2,29, and the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015) was 37,23±13,04. A weak positive correlation was identified between nutrition literacy and healthy eating attitude, as well as with both KIDMED and HEI-2015 scores (respectively r=0,361, p<0,001; r=0,210, p<0,001; r=0,131, p<0,05). Conculusion: The study revealed that although adolescents demonstrated relatively high healthy eating attitudes, their levels of nutrition literacy and diet quality were inadequate. School-based nutrition education programs targeting both students and their families may enhance nutrition literacy and healthy eating attitudes, ultimately contributing to improvements in overall diet quality.