Readability of printed sources of diet and health information

This study surveyed nutrition education materials which are low in cost, brief and the type most used in patient education to determine which might be useful with low literacy clients. Readability of 209 pamphlets from professional health organizations, commercial organizations, government agencies, and educational institutions was assessed using three different tests. Using the Flesch and Raygor tests, materials from educational institutions had significantly lower reading levels than materials from professional organizations and government agencies. No significant differences were seen among the sources using the Fry test. Sixty-eight percent (142) of the publications were written at ninth grade level or higher. Eleven percent (24) scored at sixth grade or below on either the Fry or Raygor scale. Only two publications were written at the third grade level. Many of the publications reviewed can be read and understood by many Americans, but there were few for the millions that have limited literacy skills.