Readability and content analysis of educational resources related to weight, diet, and physical activity in general practice

2015 PHC Research Conference, Adelaide, 29-31 July 2015

This poster can be accessed here.

Aim

The primary aim of this study was to assess the readability grade level of educational resources related to weight management in selected general practices in Sydney, Australia. The secondary aim of this study was to analyse the content of the educational resources in comparison to the NHMRC guidelines for obesity management in adults.

Methods

Educational resources related to weight management were collected from ten general practices in Sydney, Australia, as part of a trial. Readability formulas, including the Dale-Chall formula, Flesch Reading Ease, Flesch-Kincaid Grace Level, the Gunning Fog Index, Fry Readability Graph, and the Simplified Measure of Gobbledygook were used to calculate the reading grade level of the resources. Resources were appraised for their content based on the guidelines for weight management.

Results

The average reading grade level of the resources was a 10th grade level; (SD= 3.1, range= 9th grade to 12th grade). Only one resource was consistent with the obesity recommendations. 

Conclusion

The results from this study showed that educational resources related to weight management had poor readability and content for obese patients with low health literacy. There is a need to develop and tailor resources that are evidence-based and suitable for a low health literacy population.