Analysis of the current status and associated factors of nutritional literacy among primary and secondary school students in Beijing
Objective To understand the nutritional literacy level and associated factors of primary and secondary school students in Beijing,so as to provide a scientific basis for improving student nutrition.Methods From October 2022 to May 2023,a multi-stage cluster random sampling method was employed to select a total of 14 568 primary,junior and senior high school students from 16 districts(ecluding the Economic-Technological Development area)in Beijing.Through a survey questionnaire on nutritional literacy and dietary hehavior of school-age children,basic information as well as data on nutritional literacy levels across four dimensions:nutrition related knowledge concepts,food selection,food preparation,and food intake dimensions were obtained.The Wilcoxon rank sum test,Kruskal-Wallis test,Spearman correlation analysis,Chi-square test and binary Logistic regression were used for the analysis.Results The median total score of nutritional literacy among primary and secondary school students in Beijing was 68.8.Approximately 26.0%of primary and secondary school students achieved nutritional literacy standards.The medi-an scores and rates of meeting the standards for nutrition related knowledge concepts,food selection,food preparation and food in-take dimensions were 23.0,42.1%;17.0,27.4%;6.5,33.5%;23.0,33.3%,respectively.There were positive correlations be-tween all pairs of the four dimensions(r=0.33-0.49,P<0.05).The results of multiple Logistic regression analysis showed that pri-mary school students,junior high school students,female students,suburban students,caregivers with a college education level and a bachelor's degree or above were the positive arrelation factors that promoted the achievement of nutritional literacy standards(OR=2.21,1.39,1.18,1.27,1.42,1.66,P<0.05).Conclusion The literacy level of primary and secondary school students in Beijing needs to be significantly improved.School stage,gender,region and caregiver's education level are associated factors.