Document Type : Original Article
Authors
- . Mohammad Reza Zare‑Zardiny 1
- . Faroukh Abazari 2
- . Mohammad Ali Zakeri 3
- . Majid Dastras 4
- . Jamileh Farokhzadian 5
1 Research Center for Nursing and Midwifery Care, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
2 Health in Disasters and Emergencies Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran, Department of Community Health Nursing, Razi Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
3 Non‑Communicable Diseases Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences Rafsanjan, Iran, Social Determinants of Health Research Centre, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
4 Department of Nursing, Faculty Member of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
5 Nursing Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Obesity and overweight in children and adolescents have become a global problem
in recent years. Adolescence increases the likelihood of obesity in adulthood and associated illnesses.
Nowadays, health literacy is one of the greatest determinants of the health. This study was conducted
to evaluate the correlation between body mass index (BMI) and health literacy in high school students.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this descriptive‑analytical study, 430 high school students were
enrolled in a multi‑stage random method in Yazd city in the center of Iran. The data were collected
through The Health Literacy Measure for Adolescents and calculate BMI with measurement of
height and weight of adolescents. The data were then analyzed using SPSS 25 and descriptive and
inferential statistics (Chi‑square and multivariate regression).
RESULTS: The results showed that the mean score of BMI (21.76 ± 3.76) was in a normal range.
The score of health literacy was at the borderline level (58.44 ± 13.79). BMI was not significantly
correlated with health literacy (P = 0.09). BMI was significantly different in terms of age, high school
grade, school type, and health status. School type and health status predict 37% of the variance of
BMI (R2 = 37%) and the best predictor was health status (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study showed that BMI was not correlated with health
literacy and student health literacy was at the borderline level. It is necessary to carry out further
studies on the causes and facilitators and the barriers to increasing health literacy. Furthermore,
educational interventions are needed to prevent the increase of BMI in adolescents and identify
determining factors.
Keywords
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