Psychometric Validation of the Turkish Version of the Nutrition Literacy Scale-Short Form (NL-SF12) for Use in Public Health Nutrition


SÜMEN A., Özer Ü., TURAN F. D., ÜNAL A., ÖNCEL S.

Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, cilt.39, sa.2, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 39 Sayı: 2
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1111/jhn.70248
  • Dergi Adı: Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, CINAHL, MEDLINE, Public Affairs Index
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: NL-SF12, nutrition literacy, psychometric validation, reliability, scale adaptation, validity
  • Akdeniz Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Background: Nutrition literacy is a key determinant of healthy dietary behaviors; however, brief and psychometrically robust instruments for assessing nutrition literacy in Turkish populations remain limited. This study aimed to adapt the Nutrition Literacy Scale-Short Form (NL-SF12) into Turkish and to evaluate its validity and reliability across different population groups. Methods: This methodological, cross-sectional study included three independent samples from Türkiye: health-related university students (n = 470), non-health-related university students (n = 464), and adults from the general population (n = 546), totaling 1480 participants. Nutrition literacy was assessed using the NL-SF12. Criterion-related validity was examined using the e-Healthy Diet Literacy Scale (e-HDL). Construct validity was evaluated through confirmatory factor analysis. Reliability was assessed using internal consistency coefficients and test–retest correlations. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis supported the original six-factor structure of the NL-SF12 across all population groups (factor loadings: 0.55–0.97), demonstrating acceptable model fit. Internal consistency was high across samples (Cronbach's α = 0.94; McDonald's ω = 0.94–0.95). Test–retest reliability indicated strong temporal stability (r = 0.82–0.92; p < 0.001). NL-SF12 scores showed moderate correlations with e-HDL scores across groups (r = 0.65; p < 0.001), supporting criterion-related validity. Conclusions: The Turkish version of the NL-SF12 is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing nutrition literacy across diverse population groups and represents a feasible tool for use in public health nutrition research and practice.