Health and Nutritional Literacy of New Zealand Nursing Students

The published literature suggests that RNs are more overweight and obese than the general population. This research investigates associations between nutrition literacy, anthropometry measures, and nutritional biomarkers in an undergraduate nursing student population.

Year-one nursing students from two tertiary education institutions in New Zealand were invited to participate in an observational, convenience sample study. Data collection from participants (N = 103) included a nutrition literacy questionnaire, anthropometry measures, and blood lipid, glucose, and HbA1c concentrations.

Approximately 51% of participants were either overweight or obese, which is a similar prevalence to the New Zealand demographic-matched population. Mean body mass index was 26.7 ± 6.3 kg/m² and body fat was 29% ± 8.3%. The mean literacy score was 56.7% ± 13.2%. The literacy score was inversely associated with anthropometry measures and total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and positively associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Nutrition literacy had a statistically significant influence on anthropometry and lipid measures. [J Nurs Educ. 2017;56(1):43-48.].