Grant: CIHR Fellowship

More Canadians now die from diseases caused by poor diet than from smoking-related illnesses, and diets low in fruit and vegetable intake cost Canadians 3.3 billion dollars a year. The food environment profoundly influences diet and is associated with diseases such as obesity and diabetes. This environment has evolved so that children and adolescents are constantly fed cues to consume unhealthy foods. Nutrition "knowledge" may come from social media or advertisements and slick marketing may shape food preferences. All of these factors affect current and future dietary practices. Food literacy is the foundation of healthy dietary practices and provides youth with an opportunity to build resilience to unhealthy food environments. Yet, we know very little about how food literacy is acquired and the level of literacy needed to make healthy dietary decisions. The proposed research will address these knowledge gaps. The purpose of this study is to examine the connections between food literacy, food environments and health indicators among youth. To address the knowledge gaps, we will conduct 1) an environmental scan of food literacy learning opportunities for children and adolescents (consisting of a scoping review, interviews with practitioners followed by a survey) and 2) a cross-sectional survey on food literacy, food environments and health indicators among youth. Results will be translated to practitioners and policy makers through guidelines for enhancing food literacy to promote optimal health. Food literacy will equip youth with the abilities, knowledge and self-efficacy to make healthy food choices, which will reduce risk for diseases and decrease healthcare costs. This research will strengthen Health Canada's healthy eating strategy to improve healthy eating and protect vulnerable populations by understanding how to improve food literacy and make healthy dietary choices in unhealthy food environments.