# Differences in health literacy and health-promoting behaviors by gender and sport type in collegiate athletes

## TL;DR

This study explores how health literacy affects health behaviors in college athletes, finding that higher literacy is linked to better health practices.

## Contribution

The study identifies gender and sport-type differences in health literacy and their impact on health-promoting behaviors in collegiate athletes.

## Key findings

- Gender differences were found in overall and functional health literacy among collegiate athletes.
- Team-sports athletes had lower health literacy compared to non-athletes.
- Higher health literacy was positively associated with health-promoting behaviors.

## Abstract

This study aims to investigate the influence of health literacy (HL) on health-promoting behaviors (HPB) in collegiate athletes. A total of 220 male and female students, including participants in individual sports, team sports, and non-athletes, were assessed. HL was measured using the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire, comprising three subdomains: perceptual, functional and linguistic HL. HPB was evaluated using a Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile-II. There were significant gender differences in overall HL (P = 0.038) and functional HL (P = 0.004). Team-sports athletes demonstrated significantly lower HL, particularly in perception and functional domains, compared with non-athletes (P < 0.001). HPB was positively correlated with HL (P < 0.001), perception HL (P < 0.001), and linguistic HL (P < 0.001). Regression analysis revealed that HL was a significant positive predictor of HPB (P < 0.001). These findings highlight that higher HL is associated with greater engagement in HPB among collegiate athletes. Tailored, sport-specific strategies that consider gender and type of sports may be essential to effectively enhance HL and promote health behaviors in this population.