Maternal feeding attitudes and anxiety among mothers of children with food allergies: associations with clinical factors and e-healthy nutrition literacy.

OBJECTIVES

This study examined the relationship between e-healthy nutrition literacy, maternal feeding attitudes, and anxiety levels in mothers of children with food allergies.

METHOD: This descriptive and correlational study was conducted between November 2024 and May 2025 with 174 mothers of children aged 0-6 years diagnosed with food allergies in western Türkiye. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using the Sociodemographic Information Form, the e-Healthy Nutrition Literacy Scale, the Maternal Attitudes Toward Feeding Scale, and the Trait Anxiety Inventory to assess maternal anxiety. Descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and multiple linear regression analyses including allergy-related symptom categories as predictors were performed.

RESULTS

No significant relationship was found between e-healthy nutrition literacy and maternal anxiety or feeding attitudes. However, maternal feeding attitudes were positively associated with anxiety levels (p < 0.001). Regression analyses showed that e-healthy nutrition literacy was not a significant predictor of maternal anxiety or feeding attitudes. Breastfeeding status and systemic/cardiovascular symptoms were associated with maternal anxiety, whereas breastfeeding status, number of children, income level, and systemic/cardiovascular symptoms were associated with feeding attitudes. Mean scores were 37.23 ± 6.11 for e-healthy nutrition literacy, 71.40 ± 16.86 for maternal feeding attitudes, and 46.39 ± 7.47 for trait anxiety.

CONCLUSION

Maternal anxiety and feeding attitudes appear to be influenced more by clinical and caregiving-related factors than by e-healthy nutrition literacy alone. These findings highlight the importance of holistic approaches addressing both clinical and psychosocial dimensions in childhood food allergy management.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Nursing interventions focusing on symptom management and maternal coping may help reduce anxiety and improve the feeding process.