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Inverse Association Between Health Literacy and Obesity Among Children in Greece: A School-Based, Cross-Sectional
Aikaterini Kanellopoulou1, Venetia Notara2, George Antonogeorgos1
1Harokopio University, Athens, Greece.
Summary
Higher health literacy in children is linked to a healthier weight status. Improving children's ability to understand health information can positively impact their body mass index.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Public Health Research
- Health Literacy Studies
Background:
- Children's health literacy is fundamental for overall well-being.
- Understanding the relationship between health literacy and weight status in children is critical for developing effective health interventions.
- Previous research highlights the importance of health literacy but specific data on school-aged children in Greece is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between health literacy and weight status in Greek schoolchildren aged 10 to 12 years.
- To determine if health literacy levels differ between genders in this age group.
- To identify potential public health strategies for improving children's health outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A population-based, cross-sectional observational study involving 1,728 schoolchildren (aged 10-12 years) in Greece.
- Development of a health literacy index using an item response theory hybrid model based on children's health beliefs and perceptions.
- Analysis of body weight status (overweight, obesity) and its correlation with health literacy scores, adjusting for lifestyle factors.
Main Results:
- The average health literacy score was 70.4 (±18.7), with most children scoring "high" (>67/100).
- Girls demonstrated significantly higher health literacy than boys (p < .01).
- A significant inverse association was found between health literacy scores and children's body mass index (BMI), even after controlling for confounders.
Conclusions:
- Health literacy is a significant factor influencing children's weight status.
- Interventions and policies should focus on enhancing children's capacity to access, understand, and utilize health information.
- Schools and public health initiatives play a vital role in promoting health literacy for better pediatric health outcomes.
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