Comparison of nutritional literacy and eating behaviors of obese and non-obese women in menopausal period

Objective: This study was conducted to compare nutritional literacy and eating behaviors in obese and non-obese menopausal women. Method: This descriptive comparative study was conducted with a total of 410 obese (n=206) and non-obese (n=204) menopausal women. It was held at the Konyaalti Şehit Muhammet Oğuz Kılınç Wellness Center and the Sahil Yolu Family Health Center. The data of the study was collected with the personal information form, the Adult Nutrition Literacy Assessment Tool (YBOYDA), and the Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (DEBQ) between March and July 2022.In the evaluation of the obtained data descriptive statistics, Chi-Square Test, Mann-Whitney U Test, Kruskal-Wallis Test, Independent Samples T Test, One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and Pearson Correlation analysis were used. Results: Among obese women, a very weak positive relationship between YBOYDA and DEBQ was observed, while among non-obese women, a very weak negative relationship between YBOYDA and DEBQ was identified. The mean YBOYDA score for obese women was 22.67±4.50, while for non-obese women it was 26.52±4.07. Non-obese women showed higher levels of nutrition literacy in all sub-dimensions and overall nutrition literacy compared to obese individuals. The mean DEBQ score for obese women was 89.21±15.52, whereas for non-obese women it was 76.61±16.38. Statistically significant differences were not observed in restrictive eating behaviors based on obesity status. However, significant differences were noted in emotional and external eating behaviors, as well as general eating behavior scores, based on obesity status. Conclusion: As a result, it is recommended to determine the nutritional literacy and eating behaviors of obese and non-obese women in the menopause period, and to make encouraging nursing interventions to maintain healthy nutrition and normal weight. Keywords: Menopause, Obesity, Nutrition Literacy, Eating Behavior