Evaluation of the relationship between health literacy and mindful eating in obesity patients

Authors : Yasemin Koçyiğit, Şule Bıçakcı Ay, Gözde Kübra Demirel, Özge Eris Davut

Pages : 514-523

Doi:10.32322/jhsm.1660252

View : 63 | Download : 51

Publication Date : 2025-05-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Aims: Obesity is a multifactorial chronic disease and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality when left untreated. Preventive health services play a substantial role in the fight against diseases that can cause a global crisis such as obesity. The primary goal of preventive health services in obesity is to ensure that people acquire healthy eating habits. It has been shown that factors such as maladaptive social attitudes, emotional eating have a significant effect on mindful eating. Health literacy and mindful eating are essential concepts in developing healthy eating habits. In this study, we aim to measure the health literacy levels of obese individuals, evaluate their mindful eating, and reveal whether there is any relationship between them. Methods: The study consists of obese patients who were eligible and applied to Ankara Etlik City Hospital Obesity Center between August-December 2024. The individuals who gave their consent were given a form that evaluated their socio-demographic information, the Turkish Health Literacy Survey-32 (THLS-32) and the Mindful Eating Questionnaire (MEQ) and mental status examinations were conducted through face-to-face interviews by two psychiatrists in accordance with DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. Individuals under the age of 18 and those with conditions that could impair judgment were excluded from the study. With regard to eating disorders, participants were likewise evaluated by the interviewers based on DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. Results: A total of 232 obese individuals were included in the study (191 female, 41 male). When the health literacy scores were examined, 3.0% (n=7) were inadequate (0-25), 23.7% (n=55) were problematic-limited (26-33), 47.8% (n=111) were sufficient (34-42), 24.6% (n=57) were excellent (43-50), and the general mindful eating scores were 2.90±0.541. When the relationship between health literacy and mindful eating is examined, it is seen that there is a positive (r=0.157) significant relationship at general score (r=0.146), treatment and service score (r=0.137), disease prevention and health promotion - access to health related-information (r=0.167), disease prevention and health promotion - understanding health related information (r=0.141), access to health-related information (r=0.154) and understanding health related-information (r=0.157). Conclusion: Obesity treatment requires a multidimensional approach. For this process to be practical, many factors, such as healthy diet, physical activity, psychological support, and increasing health literacy, should be considered together. Healthy diet is an integral part of this multidimensional approach. Determining the psychological and individual factors associated with obesity, determining these factors, and increasing health literacy with dietary education and awareness-based practices can contribute to a more efficient, permanent, and sustainable weight loss process for obese patients.
Keywords : obezite, sağlık okuryazarlığı, farkındalık, beslenme ve yeme bozuklukları

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