Examining the relationship between health literacy, nutrition literacy, and quality of life in adults

ABSTRACT MS. Thesis Examining the Relationship Between Health Literacy, Nutrition Literacy, and Quality of Life in Adults Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between health literacy and nutrition literacy levels and quality of life among adult individuals, and to evaluate whether these variables differ according to sociodemographic characteristics. Health literacy encompasses individuals' abilities to access, understand, appraise, and use health-related information in their daily lives, while nutrition literacy is considered an important determinant in the development of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to healthy eating. In this context, identifying the effects of both types of literacy on quality of life is of particular importance for preventive and health-promoting services. Method: This study was conducted as a quantitative research using a descriptive and correlational survey design. The study population consisted of adult individuals, and the sample included a total of 328 participants aged between 18 and 92 years. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form developed by the researcher, the Turkish Health Literacy Scale (THLS-32), the Short Food Literacy Questionnaire (SFLQ), and the SF-36 Quality of Life Scale. Validity and reliability analyses of the scales were performed, and Cronbach's alpha coefficients were found to be above acceptable levels. Data analysis included descriptive statistics as well as the Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis H test, Spearman correlation analysis, and multivariate linear regression analysis. The level of statistical significance was set at p<0,05. Results: Participants' average health literacy was 40,20 ± 19,49, nutrition literacy was 49,97 ± 23,11; the median values were 45 and 80, respectively. The highest scores on the SF-36 quality of life scale were for "Social Functioning" (62,96 ± 24,26) and "Pain" (61,87 ± 25,02), while the lowest scores were in the 'Energy' (51,17 ± 19,17) and "General Health Perception" (52,30 ± 19,41) subscales. Women's nutrition literacy was found to be significantly higher than men's (p<0,05), while there was no difference in health literacy according to gender (p>0,05). Income was determined to be an important factor affecting health and nutrition literacy, and the scores of those who thought that where they lived affected their eating habits were also significantly higher (p<0,05). A high positive correlation was found between health and nutrition literacy (r = 0,850; p<0,001), and regression analyses showed that income and place of residence most strongly influenced these scores (p<0,05). Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that health literacy and nutrition literacy are strongly and positively associated with quality of life among adult individuals. Educational and intervention programs aimed at improving health and nutrition literacy may represent an effective public health approach to enhancing individuals' quality of life. Keywords: Health Literacy, Nutrition Literacy, Quality of Life