Table 2.

Results according to sub-theme, theme and link to Nutbeam’s discussion of health literacy

Interpretation of Nutbeam’s health literacy model(19)		Interpretation of mothers’ perceptions expressed in interviews
Level	Definition	Theme	Sub-theme	No of codes
Functional health literacy	Basic factual knowledge on health risks that does not foster skills development or autonomy but enables individuals to act in accordance with instructions.	Functional malnutrition literacy	Varying ability to recognise (un/)healthy physical appearance	62
			Limited ability to identify prevention and treatment strategies	17
Interactive health literacy	A broader range of skills that enable individuals to develop personal capacity to act independently on knowledge, actively seek out health-related information, and increase their motivation and self-confidence.	Interactive malnutrition literacy	References to a biomedical understanding of malnutrition	11
			Fairly developed references to foods appropriate for age	37
			Brief references to allegories or local beliefs	6
Critical health literacy	Knowledge that situates the individuals in a socio-economic context. Includes empowerment as it improves the ability to critically identify options (or the lack thereof), for resilience to social and economic adversity.	Critical malnutrition literacy	Firm requests of information on malnutrition	11
			Basic pursuit of healthcare to reduce health risks	20
			Assertive references to sociocultural conditions	14
			Assertive references to economic conditions	20
			Total	198