Introduction: Food literacy plays a crucial role in the nutritional behaviors and self-management capacities of individuals with chronic diseases such as diabetes, helping them to manage their conditions and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Understanding the factors influencing food literacy can contribute to more effective interventions. This study aimed to evaluate the perceived food literacy levels of individuals diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, examining their associations with sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with individuals aged 18–64 years and living in Istanbul, Türkiye, who had been diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Data were collected through an online questionnaire, which included a Sociodemographic and General Information Form (9 items) and the 29-item perceived food literacy scale (PFLS). The results of the study were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20, with a significance level of p<0.05.
Results: The study was completed with 412 individuals. Perceived food literacy levels were significantly higher among women, single participants, and individuals with a university education. Negative correlations were observed between age, body mass index (BMI), and several PFLS subdimensions. In addition, individuals with type 1 diabetes had significantly higher food literacy scores than those with type 2 diabetes.
Discussion and Conclusion: Sociodemographic and anthropometric factors such as BMI, sex, age, education level, and diabetes type are important determinants of food literacy. Tailored nutrition education interventions could improve food literacy and support diabetes self-management. Further research is needed to explore causal relationships and long-term outcomes.