Are exposure to health information and media health literacy associated with fruit and vegetable consumption?

Abstract Background Health information promotes a healthy lifestyle; however, media health literacy (MHL) is essential to personal intake, especially fruit and vegetables (F&V). This study aimed to determine how exposure to health information and MHL affect F&V consumption among Thai youth a...

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Main Authors: Nongnuch Jindarattanaporn, Jongjit Rittirong, Sirinya Phulkerd, Sasinee Thapsuwan, Natjera Thongcharoenchupong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2023-08-01
Series:BMC Public Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-16474-1
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author Nongnuch Jindarattanaporn
Jongjit Rittirong
Sirinya Phulkerd
Sasinee Thapsuwan
Natjera Thongcharoenchupong
author_facet Nongnuch Jindarattanaporn
Jongjit Rittirong
Sirinya Phulkerd
Sasinee Thapsuwan
Natjera Thongcharoenchupong
author_sort Nongnuch Jindarattanaporn
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Health information promotes a healthy lifestyle; however, media health literacy (MHL) is essential to personal intake, especially fruit and vegetables (F&V). This study aimed to determine how exposure to health information and MHL affect F&V consumption among Thai youth aged 10–14 years. Health behavior at this age can be an important determinant of consumption habits when transitioning into adulthood. Methods A stratified two-stage sample survey was conducted to recruit 1,871 youth across regions to be nationally representative. Qualtrics offline survey application was used for data collection face-to-face with all respondents. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the explanatory variables on fruit consumption and vegetable consumption. Results This study found that almost 70% of Thai youth were exposed to health-related content via the Internet, and had low analytical skills to process that information. Grade Point Average (GPA), exposure to health information, various media types, frequency of exposure to health information, and MHL influenced the frequency of F&V intake. Health status related to fruit intake, age, place of residence, amount of pocket money, and body mass index (BMI) were associated with F&V consumption. Conclusion Exposure to health information and MHL are associated with F&V intake. Therefore, exposure to health information and MHL should be addressed for policy formulation in Thai schools and the health system.
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spelling doaj.art-48d1aa284774436da80b6d43e723c6142023-11-26T14:27:02ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582023-08-0123111110.1186/s12889-023-16474-1Are exposure to health information and media health literacy associated with fruit and vegetable consumption?Nongnuch Jindarattanaporn0Jongjit Rittirong1Sirinya Phulkerd2Sasinee Thapsuwan3Natjera Thongcharoenchupong4Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol UniversityInstitute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol UniversityInstitute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol UniversityInstitute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol UniversityInstitute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol UniversityAbstract Background Health information promotes a healthy lifestyle; however, media health literacy (MHL) is essential to personal intake, especially fruit and vegetables (F&V). This study aimed to determine how exposure to health information and MHL affect F&V consumption among Thai youth aged 10–14 years. Health behavior at this age can be an important determinant of consumption habits when transitioning into adulthood. Methods A stratified two-stage sample survey was conducted to recruit 1,871 youth across regions to be nationally representative. Qualtrics offline survey application was used for data collection face-to-face with all respondents. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the explanatory variables on fruit consumption and vegetable consumption. Results This study found that almost 70% of Thai youth were exposed to health-related content via the Internet, and had low analytical skills to process that information. Grade Point Average (GPA), exposure to health information, various media types, frequency of exposure to health information, and MHL influenced the frequency of F&V intake. Health status related to fruit intake, age, place of residence, amount of pocket money, and body mass index (BMI) were associated with F&V consumption. Conclusion Exposure to health information and MHL are associated with F&V intake. Therefore, exposure to health information and MHL should be addressed for policy formulation in Thai schools and the health system.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-16474-1Health informationMedia health literacyFruit and vegetable consumptionYouth
spellingShingle Nongnuch Jindarattanaporn
Jongjit Rittirong
Sirinya Phulkerd
Sasinee Thapsuwan
Natjera Thongcharoenchupong
Are exposure to health information and media health literacy associated with fruit and vegetable consumption?
BMC Public Health
Health information
Media health literacy
Fruit and vegetable consumption
Youth
title Are exposure to health information and media health literacy associated with fruit and vegetable consumption?
title_full Are exposure to health information and media health literacy associated with fruit and vegetable consumption?
title_fullStr Are exposure to health information and media health literacy associated with fruit and vegetable consumption?
title_full_unstemmed Are exposure to health information and media health literacy associated with fruit and vegetable consumption?
title_short Are exposure to health information and media health literacy associated with fruit and vegetable consumption?
title_sort are exposure to health information and media health literacy associated with fruit and vegetable consumption
topic Health information
Media health literacy
Fruit and vegetable consumption
Youth
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-16474-1
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