Impact of Food Literacy on Dietary Choices Among Urban Adolescents

Thesis Abstract

In the context of rising adolescent obesity rates and increasing concerns about dietary health in urban environments, this study investigates the impact of food literacy on dietary choices among urban adolescents aged 13 to 19 years. The escalating prevalence of poor dietary practices—characterized by high consumption of processed foods, sugary beverages, and fast foods—necessitates an understanding of the role that food literacy plays in shaping healthier eating behaviors within this demographic. The primary aim of this research is to examine the relationship between food literacy levels and dietary choices, identifying the extent to which food literacy influences adolescents' ability to make informed nutritional decisions. The specific objectives include evaluating the current level of food literacy among urban adolescents, analyzing behavioral patterns related to dietary choices, and determining the predictive power of food literacy on healthy eating behaviors. Employing a cross-sectional survey design, the study was conducted within the urban metropolis of Johannesburg, South Africa. The target population comprised adolescents enrolled in secondary schools across the city, with a sample size of 600 participants selected through stratified random sampling to ensure representation across socioeconomic status and school types. Data collection was facilitated using a structured, validated Food Literacy Questionnaire (FLQ) adapted from existing instruments, complemented by a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) to assess dietary patterns. The questionnaires underwent pre-testing for validity and reliability, with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients exceeding 0.80 for both instruments, ensuring internal consistency. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics to delineate food literacy levels and dietary behaviors, followed by inferential techniques such as multiple regression analysis to assess the extent to which food literacy predicts healthy dietary choices. Additionally, factor analysis was conducted to identify underlying dimensions of food literacy, and ANOVA tested differences across demographic groups. The theoretical framework underpinning the study integrates Nutbeam’s Health Literacy Model and the Social Cognitive Theory, facilitating an understanding of how knowledge, skills, and environmental factors influence dietary behaviors among adolescents. Expected findings suggest that higher levels of food literacy are significantly associated with healthier dietary choices, including increased fruit and vegetable intake and reduced consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. The study anticipates identifying key components of food literacy—such as nutrition knowledge and food preparation skills—that serve as predictors for adolescents' ability to select nutritious foods. It is further expected that socio-economic status and access to food-related information moderate this relationship. This research contributes to existing knowledge by providing empirical evidence on the role of food literacy in adolescent dietary behaviors within an urban context, highlighting potential intervention points for schools and policymakers. The findings aim to inform the development of targeted nutrition education programs that enhance food literacy and promote healthier eating patterns among adolescents. The main conclusion underscores that strengthening food literacy is pivotal in fostering sustainable healthy dietary habits. Recommendations include integrating comprehensive food literacy curricula into school programs, improving access to nutritional information through social media platforms frequented by adolescents, and establishing community-based initiatives to support healthy food choices in urban settings. Future studies are suggested to explore longitudinal designs to establish causal relationships and expand research to rural populations for comparative analysis.