Association between food literacy and bowel movement frequency: An exploratory analysis
Akane Kojima, Kanae Wada, Keita Miyata, Yuki Oshiba, Suzuka Gokyu, Kuniyasu Kamiya, Masahiko KatoBackground
No studies have examined the relationship between food literacy and bowel movement frequency in adults.
Aim
This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the association between food literacy and bowel movement frequency.
Methods
This study analyzed data obtained using a self-report questionnaire administered to 119 adult factory workers in November 2025. The questionnaire included a validated self-perceived food-literacy scale, bowel movement frequency, and other explanatory variables. Bowel movement frequency was categorized ≤2 times/week and ≥3 times/week. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
Summary
After adjusting for age and sex, the ORs for per 1-point decrease in the daily food planning score were 1.94 (95% CI: 1.15–3.27) for bowel movement frequency ≤2 times/week, compared to ≥3 times/week. Compared with bowel movement frequency ≥3 times/week, the OR for healthy snack styles per 1-point decrease was 0.42 (95% CI: 0.22–0.82) for bowel movement frequency ≤2 times/week. Lower daily food planning scores and higher healthy snack style scores were associated with bowel movement frequency ≤2 times/week.