The Relationship between Health Literacy and Body Weight of Primary School Students (Grade 4 to 6), Huai-Nang Sub-district, Huai-Yot District, Trang Province
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Abstract
The conceptualization of health literacy is beneficial. Inappropriate health literacy level in children can lead to improper health behavior and result in overweight or obesity. This cross sectional study aimed to investigate the association between health literacy and body weight of the fourth- to the sixth-grade students in Huai-Nang Sub-district, Huai-Yot District, Trang Province, Thailand, which 202 of 225 students were assessed.
The health literacy test was developed by Dr. Jeeranan kaewma and was permitted to use. The students completed the test within 50 minutes. Weight for height was used to classify the children as underweight, normal or overweight/obese. The health literacy score and levels were analyzed. The Spearman’s correlation model was used to identify association between health literacy and body weight. Bivariate and multiple linear regression models were used to investigate the relations between body weight and other factors.
The result showed that 52% of students were female, 65.8% were normal weight. An average health literacy score was 109.55 ± 10.35 points (from 150 points). No correlation between health literacy and body weight, Spearman's correlation coefficient was -0.059 (P = 0.401). However, Health literacy, in this study, correlated with sex, school and grade, the correlation coefficients were 0.377 (P = 0.000), 0.367 (P = 0.000) and 0.239 (P = 0.001) respectively.
Conclusion, this study indicated that there was no correlation between health literacy and body weight, but health literacy dose correlated with sex, school and grade (level of education).
Keywords: Primary school students, Heath literacy, Body weight, Thailand.
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