The relationship between food literacy and dietary intake in adolescents: a systematic review.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present systematic review was to investigate the evidence on the association between food literacy and adolescents' dietary intake.


METHODS
The review included searches of six databases with no restriction on the year of publication or language.


METHODS
The studies eligible for review were from five countries/regions: USA (n 6), Europe (n 4), Australia (n 1), Middle East (n 1) and South Africa (n 1).


METHODS
Adolescents aged 10 to 19 years.


RESULTS
Thirteen studies were eligible for inclusion. None of the studies investigated all aspects of food literacy. Eight studies reported a positive association between food literacy and adolescents' dietary intake. For example, adolescents with greater food knowledge and frequent food preparation behaviours were shown to have healthier dietary practices. Three studies found a mixed association of food literacy and adolescents' dietary intake. For example, adolescents who frequently helped to prepare dinner had healthier dietary intake, but food shopping tasks were associated with less healthy food choices. Two studies found no association between measures of food literacy and adolescents' dietary intake.


CONCLUSIONS
Food literacy may play a role in shaping adolescents' dietary intake. More rigorous research methods are required to effectively assess the causality between food literacy and adolescents' dietary intake in order to confirm the extent of the relationship. Evidence recommends public health practitioners and policy makers consider new public health strategies that focus on increasing understanding of food literacy in adolescence.
1School of Medicine & Griffith Health Institute,Population and Social Health Research Program,Building G05 Room 3·16,Gold Coast Campus,Griffith University,QLD 4222,Australia.
Rimante
R
Vaitkeviciute
2School of Allied Health Sciences & Griffith Health Institute,Centre for Health Practice Innovation,Gold Coast Campus,Griffith University,Queensland,Australia.
Lauren E
LE
Ball
1School of Medicine & Griffith Health Institute,Population and Social Health Research Program,Building G05 Room 3·16,Gold Coast Campus,Griffith University,QLD 4222,Australia.
Neil
N
Harris
D000293:Adolescent; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D004046:Dietetics; D004435:Eating / Q000523:psychology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D015438:Health Behavior; D057220:Health Literacy; D006801:Humans; D055815:Young Adult
Systematic review