Nutrition Literacy: an independent predictor of healthy Dietary Behaviors in patients with Heart Failure

Abstract

Background Nutrition literacy is essential for promoting healthy eating behaviors and improving outcomes in heart failure patients. However, the relationship between nutrition literacy and dietary behaviors in this population remains underexplored. Purpose This study examined the relationship between nutrition literacy and healthy dietary behaviors in heart failure patients and identified factors influencing these behaviors. Methods This cross-sectional, correlational study included 365 heart failure patients. Data were collected using the Patient Information Form, the Scale for Dietary Behaviors in Heart Failure (SDBHF), and the Evaluation Instrument of Nutrition Literacy on Adults (EINLA). Pearson correlation and linear regression analyses examined relationships between nutrition literacy and dietary behaviors. T-tests and one-way ANOVA analyzed differences based on patient characteristics. Results Heart failure patients who exercised, adhered to medications, understood nutrition's role, received dietary counseling, and monitored salt and fluid intake had significantly higher SDBHF and EINLA scores (p<0.05). Higher nutrition literacy was positively associated with total dietary behavior scores (r=0.22, p<0.001). Nutrition literacy explained 4.4% of variance in dietary behaviors, 4.3% in healthy habits, 1.7% in salt restriction, and 1.4% in retention prevention. Awareness of daily salt intake and attention to sugar consumption were significant predictors of healthy dietary behaviors, accounting for 29.4% of the variance. Conclusion Higher nutrition literacy in heart failure patients is associated with healthier dietary behaviors, including improved healthy habits, salt restriction, and retention prevention. However, nutrition literacy alone was not a significant independent predictor when controlling for specific self-care behaviors. Healthcare professionals should develop individualized educational interventions that enhance nutrition literacy while addressing modifiable lifestyle factors to optimize dietary self-management in heart failure patients.