Are Health Literacy and Lifestyle of Undergraduates Related to the Educational Field? An Italian Survey

Francesca Gallè, Patrizia Calella, Christian Napoli, Fabrizio Liguori, Eduardo Alfonso Parisi, Giovanni Battista Orsi, Giorgio Liguori and Giuliana Valerio
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Francesca Gallè: Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Naples “Parthenope”, 80133 Naples, Italy
Patrizia Calella: Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Naples “Parthenope”, 80133 Naples, Italy
Christian Napoli: Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
Fabrizio Liguori: Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Naples “Parthenope”, 80133 Naples, Italy
Eduardo Alfonso Parisi: Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
Giovanni Battista Orsi: Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Giorgio Liguori: Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Naples “Parthenope”, 80133 Naples, Italy
Giuliana Valerio: Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Naples “Parthenope”, 80133 Naples, Italy

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 18, 1-9

Abstract: Background : Health literacy (HL) is a fundamental ability to successfully deal with health and illness issues. This study aimed to assess HL among undergraduates from healthcare and non-healthcare degree courses of two Italian universities and the association between their HL, lifestyles, and BMI assumed as health outcome. Methods : The Health Literacy Assessment Tool (HLAT-8) and the Newest Vital Sign (NVS) were used to assess health literacy dimensions. Demographic and anthropometric data, adherence to Mediterranean diet (MD), physical activity levels, and smoking habits were assessed in the enrolled sample to highlight possible associations. Results : A total sample of 806 undergraduates (46% males, mean age 21.01 ± 1.78 years) was recruited. Higher HL scores were found among healthcare rather than non-healthcare students (28.7 ± 4.5 vs. 26.7 ± 4.2 for HLAT-8 and 4.9 ± 1.5 vs. 3.9 ± 1.8 for NVS, p < 0.01). However, healthcare undergraduates were more likely to report unhealthy behaviors. Body Mass Index (BMI) was associated with literacy and numeracy skills only in non-healthcare undergraduates. Significant associations were found between HL scores and adherence to MD in both groups. In the regression analysis, educational field and MD were shown to be predictors of HL scores. Conclusions : Attending a healthcare related degree course was associated with higher HL scores but not with healthy behaviors. This issue should be addressed considering the role that healthcare professionals may have in educating patients towards a healthy lifestyle. Adherence to MD seems to be related to higher HL scores.

Keywords: health literacy; undergraduates; lifestyle; Mediterranean diet; physical activity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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