BackgroundNutrition literacy (NL) encompasses the knowledge and skills that inform individuals' food choices. This cross-sectional study explored factors associated with NL among Chinese university students in Bengbu, China.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was carried out. Two thousand one hundred thirty-three university students were selected by stratified cluster sampling. A 43-item NL questionnaire was used to assess NL. Binary logistic regression was used to determine odds ratios (ORs) along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for NL and to test the interaction effects of multiple factors on total NL and its six dimensions.ResultsOf these participants, 1,399 (65.6%) were women and 734 (34.4%) were men. Students who were from urban areas (OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.08–1.72), were living with both parents (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.02–1.65), and had high academic performance (OR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.34–2.57) were more likely to report higher NL levels than did other students. The ORs for NL (OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.06–2.41), nutrition knowledge (OR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.00–2.26), obtaining skills (OR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.16–2.65), and critical skills (OR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.05–2.39) were higher for medical students who had received nutrition education than for other students. The ORs for NL (OR = 2.42, 95% CI: 1.21–4.84), nutrition understanding (OR = 2.59, 95% CI: 1.28–5.25), and interactive skills (OR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.04–4.08) were higher for only-child students and those with a monthly expenditure of >¥1500.ConclusionsNL of university students differed in terms of place of origin, living arrangement, nutrition education, academic performance, and household income, and the findings imply that universities should have all students take a basic nutrition course to improve their NL.

Background Multimorbidity among older adults, which is associated with added functional decline and higher health care utilization and mortality, has become increasingly common with the dramatic acceleration of ageing in China. The purpose of this study was to reveal age, sex, residence, and region- specific prevalence and patterns of multimorbidity among older adults in China. Methods This study is based on the 2018 Chinese Longitudinal Health Longevity Survey (CLHLS), the most recent edition of this national survey, and involved analysis of 15,275 participants aged 65 years and older. Multimorbidity was defined as an individual who has two or more chronic diseases or conditions and was divided into two types for analysis: ≥2 (MM2+) and ≥ 3 (MM3+). Fourteen chronic diseases or conditions surveyed were used to assess patterns of multimorbidity through association rule mining. Results Among the 15,275 participants, the largest proportion (39.9%) was 90 years old and over, while the distribution of sex and residence is roughly the same. Overall, the prevalence of multimorbidity was 44.1% for MM2+ and 22.9% for MM3+. The most frequently occurring patterns were two or three combinations between hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and affective disorders. Cardiovascular diseases combined with diabetes or dyslipidemia showed the most predominant association in different age groups. Moreover, the prevalence of the hypertension +diabetes pattern decreased with age. The strongest associations were found for the clustering of hypertension + cardiovascular diseases + respiratory diseases in males, however, among females it was the cardiovascular diseases + diabetes cluster. Cardiovascular diseases + rheumatoid arthritis + visual impairment was observed in urban areas and hypertension + cardiovascular diseases + affective disorders in rural areas. The most distinctive association rule in Northern China was {cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, visual impairment} = > {diabetes}. Respiratory disease was more prevalent in combination with other systemic disorders in Western China, and affective disorders in Southern China. Conclusions The prevalence of multimorbidity among older Chinese was substantial, and patterns of multimorbidity varied by age, sex, residence, and region. Future efforts are needed to identify possible prevention strategies and guidelines that consider differences in demographic characteristics of multimorbid patients to promote health in older adults.

ObjectivesTo develop and validate a short-form nutrition literacy (NL) assessment tool for Chinese college students based on a 43-item NL measurement scale.MethodsTo develop and validate short-form NL scale, 1359 college students were surveyed, the data were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis, linear regression analysis, Item analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and Pearson correlation.ResultsThe 12-item short-form NL scale (NL-SF12) was developed using factor analysis and regression analysis, which accounted for 96.4% of the variance. The correlation coefficient between the NL-SF12 and NL-43 was 0.969, indicating satisfactory criterion-related validity. The NL-SF12 had a Cronbach's α of 0.890, suggesting strong internal consistency reliability, and content validity index was greater than 0.9, indicating that each domain accurately reflects the connotation of nutrition literacy. The model–data fit and convergent validity of the confirmatory factor analysis results were both good.ConclusionThe NL-SF12 is an effective measurement tool with a good reliability and acceptable validity to assess comprehensively NL for college students, and is applicable to quick, widespread use in population study and practice with low respondent burden.

Background: Nutrition literacy is an emerging term which is increasingly used in policy and research. Progression is limited by the lack of an accepted method to measure nutrition literacy in Chinese adult, even research in this area is growing. Objective: The objective of this study is to develop a valid instrument to assess nutrition literacy in Chinese adults. Methods: The process involved 2 steps: constructed nutrition literacy conceptual framework, and developed potential items of scale based on literature review; and conducted 2 rounds of Delphi consultation to select items of the preliminary questionnaire. Results: In Delphi survey, the content validity index for each domain, level, and dimension of nutrition literacy was 1.0, coefficient of variation was less than 0.10, and Kendall’s coefficient of concordance was greater than 0.83. All of the 2 domains, 3 levels, and 6 dimensions initially formulated by our research team were reserved in the conceptual framework of nutrition literacy. Furthermore, a 43-item nutrition literacy measurement scale was established. Each item kept in the final scale reaches a high degree of concentration and a high degree of coordination, with the mean of importance ranging from 4.38 to 5.00. Conclusions: A nutrition literacy measurement scale with multiple features was established for Chinese adults, providing an operationalized tool to assess comprehensively nutrition literacy for research and practice in the field of nutrition, diet, and health.