JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Given the prevalence of lifestyle-related chronic diseases along with an increase in unhealthy dietary practices, promoting healthy dietary habits is a key element in any health program. This study attempted to measure the relationship between a broader concept of eHealth literacy and dietary behaviors, in contrast to previous studies that focused solely on functional eHealth literacy. College students may put themselves at increased risk by consuming unsafe foods or not following accepted food safety practices. It is necessary to clarify the mechanisms whereby the three levels of eHealth literacy (functional, interactive, and critical) affect the four aspects of dietary behavior (consumer health, balanced diet, regular eating habits, and unhealthy food intake) in order to develop an effective eHealth literacy educational program to promote healthy behavior among college students.

Objective:

To investigate the association between eHealth literacy and dietary behaviors.

Methods:

The eHealth Literacy Scale is a 12-item instrument designed to measure college students’ functional, interactive, and critical eHealth literacy. The Dietary Behaviors Scale is a 14-item instrument developed to measure four aspects of dietary behaviors by college students. A national sample of college students was surveyed, and 792 valid responses were obtained. We conducted a multiple regression analysis to examine the association between eHealth literacy and dietary behaviors.

Results:

The study found that functional eHealth literacy was negatively related to the unhealthy food intake aspect (t784=-3.56, P<.001), and interactive eHealth literacy was positively related to the balanced diet and consumer health aspects (t784=2.12-3.08, P<.05). Moreover, critical eHealth literacy was positively related to the consumer health, balanced diet, and regular eating habits aspects (t784=3.69-6.30, P<.001).

Conclusions:

This study showed that Taiwanese college students with functional eHealth literacy were more likely to engage in fewer unhealthy food consumption practices. Moreover, Taiwanese college students with interactive eHealth literacy were more likely to ngage in balanced diet and consumer health practices. Finally, Taiwanese college students with critical eHealth literacy were more likely to engage in positive dietary behaviors than those with functional or interactive eHealth literacy.