Self-perceived food literacy is positively associated with diet quality among Dutch individuals with type 2 diabetes

Objective

This cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate associations between food literacy and diet quality among individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Method

In the Netherlands in 2022/2023, 166 individuals with type 2 diabetes (66.8 ± 10.3 years, BMI 28.2 ± 4.3 kg/m²) completed questionnaires. Self-perceived food literacy (SPFL) was assessed using the 29-item SPFL-scale (score 1–5, higher scores indicating higher food literacy). Diet quality was assessed with a brief frequency questionnaire (FFQ; score 0–160, higher scores indicating higher diet quality). Associations between food literacy and diet quality were evaluated with linear models.

Results

Mean diet quality score was 107 ± 16 and mean food literacy score was 3.7 ± 0.4. Linear regression showed that 1-point higher food literacy scores were associated with 14-point higher diet quality scores (β adjusted 14.0; 95 % CI: 8.4 to 19.6). Individuals with above-median food literacy scores had diet quality scores that were 12.5 points higher (95 % CI: 7.7 to 17.3) than individuals with below-median scores. Food preparation skills, healthy budgeting, social and conscious eating, resilience and resistance, and healthy snack styles, were associated with better diet quality.

Conclusion

Associations between several food literacy domains and diet quality in people with type 2 diabetes indicate the importance of promoting food literacy in this group.