Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors and Health Literacy in Oncology Patients: Evaluation of Organic Food Consumption and Physical Activity
Abdussamet Çelebi1, Nur Aybüke Bircan2, Ali Kaan Güren1, Yeşim Ağyol1, Erkam Kocaaslan1, Pınar Erel1, Selver Işık1, Ezgi Çoban1, Osman Köstek1, İbrahim Vedat Bayoğlu1, Murat Sarı11Department of Medical Oncology, Marmara University, Istanbul, Türkiye, 2Department of Internal Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Türkiye
Objectives: Health literacy is a critical determinant of health outcomes in cancer patients, yet its relationship with healthy lifestyle behaviors remains understudied. This study examined the association between health literacy and lifestyle behaviors, particularly organic food consumption and physical activity, in oncology patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a university hospital's Medical Oncology Clinic between January and September 2025 with 267 cancer patients receiving active treatment. Data were collected using a questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics, healthy lifestyle behaviors, and the Turkish Health Literacy Scale-32 (TSOY- 32). Statistical analyses included Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests (p<0.05). Results: Limited health literacy was prevalent, with 68.6% classified as inadequate or problematic-limited. Significant associations were found between health literacy and organic food consumption (p=0.029) and prescription medication research (p=0.031). Regular exercise approached significance (p=0.070). Patients with excellent health literacy showed higher rates of organic food purchasing (42.9% vs. 21.3%) and regular exercise (23.1% vs. 3.9%) compared to those with inadequate health literacy. Conclusion: Limited health literacy is associated with lower rates of healthy lifestyle behaviors in oncology patients. Health literacy-targeted interventions may improve adherence to lifestyle recommendations, potentially contributing to better treatment outcomes and quality of life. Keywords: Cancer patients, health literacy, healthy lifestyle behaviors, oncology, organic food, physical activity
Cite This Article
Çelebi A, Bircan N, Güren A, Ağyol Y, Kocaaslan E, Erel P, Işık S, Çoban E, Köstek O, Bayoğlu İ, Sarı M. Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors and Health Literacy in Oncology Patients: Evaluation of Organic Food Consumption and Physical Activity. EJMI. 2026; 10(3): 303-311
Corresponding Author: Abdussamet Çelebi