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Nutrients
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Food Literacy and Public Health Nutrition
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Food Literacy and Public Health Nutrition

A Special Issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643) belonging to the section "Nutrition and Public Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 January 2027 | Viewed by 7284

Editors

Dr. Gitte Ravn-Haren

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
Interests: development of educational materials; food literacy; interventions in school settings; iodine awareness; safety of food supplements and fortified foods; beneficial health effects of fruit and vegetables; selenium; iodine; diet–gene interactions; human randomized controlled trials; innovative technological solutions for health promotion; toxicological risk assessment; risk–benefit assessment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Mette Rosenlund Sørensen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
Interests: determinants of dietary habits; consumer perspectives on healthy and sustainable eating; public health surveys; construction of questionnaires; (mixing) quantitative and qualitative research methods
Dr. Rikke Andersen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
Interests: fortification; vitamin D; human randomized controlled trials; school based interventions; children; adolescents; immigrants; innovative technological solutions for health promotion; biomarkers; risk-benefit analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Food is essential for healthy growth, development, and quality of life. However, food intake is also linked to various health problems. Consequently, healthy dietary behavior is important in reducing the risk of non-communicable diseases (e.g., type II diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, some cancers) and enhancing overall health and well-being.

Disease prevention necessitates the selection of healthy foods and maintenance of healthy habits. The term ‘food literacy’ broadly encompasses a set of inter-related knowledge, competencies, and abilities necessary for individuals to utilize information about food to meet their needs and determine their intake, including the knowledge, skills, and behaviors needed to plan, select, prepare, cook, and eat meals. Developing food literacy empowers individuals and groups to make informed food choices.

Various strategies have been employed to increase food literacy in the general population, including educational programs, campaigns, and community workshops.

Authors are invited to contribute original research on humans with novel results, as well as systematic narrative reviews or meta-analyses. We welcome research on innovative strategies and solutions to improve food literacy in real-life settings.

Dr. Gitte Ravn-Haren
Dr. Mette Rosenlund Sørensen
Dr. Rikke Andersen
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • food literacy
  • food competencies
  • food education
  • public health nutrition
  • educational programs
  • public health campaigns
  • self-efficacy
  • food choices

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 234 KB  
Article
Current and Future Priorities for School Food and Nutrition Education in South Korea: Perspectives of Nutrition Teachers
by Seung Jae Lee, Jieun Oh and Kyung Won Lee
Nutrients 2026, 18(17), 2829; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18172829 - 28 Aug 2026
Viewed by 310
Abstract
Background/Objectives: School-based food and nutrition education is an important public health strategy for developing healthy dietary behaviors during childhood and adolescence. However, limited qualitative evidence describes how nutrition teachers, who are simultaneously responsible for school meals, perceive established educational priorities and emerging [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: School-based food and nutrition education is an important public health strategy for developing healthy dietary behaviors during childhood and adolescence. However, limited qualitative evidence describes how nutrition teachers, who are simultaneously responsible for school meals, perceive established educational priorities and emerging needs. This study explored current and future priorities for school-based food and nutrition education in South Korea. Methods: Two online focus group interviews were conducted with eight nutrition teachers working in elementary, middle, and high schools. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using qualitative content analysis procedures. Results: Current priorities included foundational nutrition and food-related knowledge, balanced eating, environmental issues, low-sodium and low-sugar diets, understanding school meals, prevention of eating disorders and chronic diseases, and table manners and picky eating. Future needs centered on food choice and food literacy, sustainable diets, interdisciplinary education, and understanding diverse food cultures. Across themes, participants described a shift from primarily knowledge-focused instruction toward applied dietary competence, a broadening from individual disease prevention toward health and sustainability, and stronger integration of classroom education with school meals and other subjects. Conclusions: From the perspectives of the participating nutrition teachers, the findings provide formative evidence for curricula and interventions that combine foundational nutrition science with food-choice skills, age-appropriate preventive messages, sustainable dietary practices, and opportunities for behavioral application in the school meal setting. Future quantitative and intervention studies, including nationally representative samples, are needed before robust national priorities can be established. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Literacy and Public Health Nutrition)
17 pages, 4056 KB  
Article
Designing a School-Based, Complex Public Health Intervention to Improve Iodine Awareness in Adolescents in Six Countries
by Bodil Just Christensen, Natalia Cecon-Stabel, Synnøve Næss Sleire, Lisbeth Dahl, Signe Svarrer Skovgaard-Pedersen, Vivien Henck, Phil Pendt, Muhammad Nasir Khan Khattak, Elias Peschke, Henry Völzke, Mithila Faruque, Rehman Mehmood Khattak, Aisha Imtiaz, Muhammad Altaf Khan, Georgia Soursou, Konstantinos C. Makris, Simona Gaberšček, Katja Zaletel, Jayne V. Woodside, Sarah C. Bath, Linda Henderson, Anna Bokor, Joyce Greene, Deqa Jama, Freia De Bock and Gitte Ravn-Harenadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Nutrients 2026, 18(17), 2820; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18172820 - 28 Aug 2026
Viewed by 387
Abstract
Background: Iodine is an essential micronutrient required for foetal development, cognitive function, and metabolic regulation; however, suboptimal iodine status remains a public health concern in Europe and other regions. Improving food literacy related to iodine may support healthier dietary choices during adolescence, [...] Read more.
Background: Iodine is an essential micronutrient required for foetal development, cognitive function, and metabolic regulation; however, suboptimal iodine status remains a public health concern in Europe and other regions. Improving food literacy related to iodine may support healthier dietary choices during adolescence, a critical life stage for establishing long-term habits. This intervention development study describes the development of The ABC of Iodine Teaching Programme within the EUthyroid2 project, designed to enhance iodine-related knowledge and awareness among adolescents aged 13–17 years across six regions (UK, Republic of Cyprus, Slovenia, Germany, Bangladesh, and Pakistan). Methods: The intervention was developed according to the Behaviour Change Wheel, targeting capability, opportunity, and motivation, and informed by guidance for complex interventions. The programme was comprised of three flexible, culturally adapted modules integrating lectures on iodine physiology, deficiency risks, WHO recommendations, and locally relevant dietary sources. Active learning strategies, including collaborative tasks and personalised feedback through an Iodine Feedback Tool, were included. Materials were translated and adapted to local contexts and implemented in a hybrid format combining printed booklets with QR-linked digital resources. Results: The primary outcome of the intervention development process was The ABC of Iodine Teaching Programme, a multi-component, scalable educational intervention aligned with principles of food literacy, active learning and behaviour change theory. It incorporated behaviour change techniques and context-specific adaptations to facilitate engagement and knowledge acquisition in school settings. The programme is currently under evaluation in participating regions. Conclusions: This study presents the systematic development of a complex teaching programme. By combining behaviour change theory with innovative and context-sensitive educational strategies, The ABC of Iodine Teaching Programme provides a flexible and scalable framework for improving iodine-related food literacy among adolescents. Its effectiveness will be determined through the ongoing evaluation studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Literacy and Public Health Nutrition)
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17 pages, 269 KB  
Article
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding Water Intake Among University Students in China’s Seven Geographical Divisions: A Cross-Sectional Analysis
by Haiyue Yang, Jianfen Zhang, Shuyi Zhou, Yongye Song, Yi Zhang, Yunxia Zhu and Na Zhang
Nutrients 2026, 18(2), 225; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18020225 - 10 Jan 2026
Viewed by 1677
Abstract
Background: Inadequate water intake is prevalent among Chinese college students, a group at a critical stage for establishing lifelong health habits. However, nationwide data on their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding water intake remain scarce. This study aims to describe regional [...] Read more.
Background: Inadequate water intake is prevalent among Chinese college students, a group at a critical stage for establishing lifelong health habits. However, nationwide data on their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding water intake remain scarce. This study aims to describe regional variations in water-related KAP among undergraduates across seven major geographical regions of China, providing evidence for developing targeted health promotion strategies. Methods: A cross-sectional survey employed multistage stratified convenience sampling to recruit undergraduate students (N = 3161) from one university in each of China’s seven regions. Participants completed a KAP questionnaire. Data analysis utilized chi-square tests with Bonferroni correction, reporting effect sizes and confidence intervals. Results: A total of 3161 valid responses were obtained (response rate: 98.3%). Students in South China demonstrated the lowest awareness of regular water intake (52.0%) but the highest awareness of daily recommended water intake (32.9%). South China and Northeast China exhibited weaker recognition of water’s importance (65.6% and 94.0%, respectively) and the lowest prevalence of “thirst-driven” drinking behavior (21.7% and 32.4%, respectively). Conclusions: The knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) status regarding water consumption among Chinese university students is concerning and exhibits significant regional disparities. Key issues include knowledge gaps, disconnect between attitudes and behaviors, and deeply ingrained unscientific drinking habits. Analysis based on KAP theory indicates that future health promotion strategies must move beyond mere knowledge dissemination and adopt region-specific, multilevel comprehensive interventions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Literacy and Public Health Nutrition)
20 pages, 724 KB  
Article
Validation and Application of an Online Self-Assessment Questionnaire for the Assessment of Perception of Functional Foods: A Cross-Sectional Psychometric Study in Adults
by Leandro Oliveira, Ahmed Othman Alsabih, Hani A. Alfheeaid, Najla A. Albaridi, Sehad N. Alarifi, Nada Alqarawi, Ibrahim Alasqah and António Raposo
Nutrients 2025, 17(18), 2938; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17182938 - 12 Sep 2025
Viewed by 1558
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The increasing interest in functional foods has highlighted the need to better understand consumer perceptions and their influence on dietary behaviours. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Questionnaire for the Assessment of Perception of Functional Foods (QAPAF) and [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The increasing interest in functional foods has highlighted the need to better understand consumer perceptions and their influence on dietary behaviours. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Questionnaire for the Assessment of Perception of Functional Foods (QAPAF) and apply it to a Portuguese adult population to explore associations with sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Methods: Participants were recruited through convenience sampling; the achieved sample was predominantly female and highly educated. The 17-item QAPAF was assessed through exploratory factor analysis (EFA), internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha), and test–retest reliability. Associations between QAPAF scores and participant characteristics were analysed using non-parametric tests. Results: EFA supported a four-factor structure, explaining 58.8% of total variance. Internal consistency was acceptable (α = 0.70), and test–retest analysis (n = 25) showed no significant score differences, indicating temporal stability. QAPAF scores were significantly higher among participants with higher education and among non-smokers and non-drinkers. No associations were found with sex, BMI, or income. Participants with correct understanding of functional foods were more likely to reject misconceptions and express trust in professional recommendations. Conclusions: The QAPAF is a valid and reliable tool for assessing functional food perceptions. Its application provides insights into consumer attitudes and may support the design of targeted food literacy interventions. Generalizability is limited by the convenience sampling and by the predominance of female and highly educated participants; external validation in more diverse samples and cultural contexts is warranted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Literacy and Public Health Nutrition)
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15 pages, 252 KB  
Article
Nutritional Dimensions of Sports Tourism: Runners’ Encounters with Polish Local Food Cultures
by Mateusz Rozmiarek
Nutrients 2025, 17(16), 2601; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17162601 - 10 Aug 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1609
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Although nutrition is widely recognized as a key factor in post-event recovery in sports, little attention has been given to how its cultural and social dimensions—embodied in local cuisine—intersect with the needs of traveling athletes, for whom food often also serves as [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Although nutrition is widely recognized as a key factor in post-event recovery in sports, little attention has been given to how its cultural and social dimensions—embodied in local cuisine—intersect with the needs of traveling athletes, for whom food often also serves as a medium of cultural immersion and sensory exploration. Poland, with its rich regional culinary traditions and numerous international running events, offers a compelling context in which to explore these interactions. This study aims to understand the role of local cuisine in the experiences of foreign runners participating in the Poznan Half Marathon 2025, with particular attention on cultural engagement, tourist motivations, and post-exercise recovery processes. Methods: This study was based on a qualitative approach, utilizing semi-structured in-depth interviews conducted with 12 international runners from the United Kingdom, Germany, and Ukraine. The participants possessed a minimum of two years’ experience in traveling for sports. Results: The findings identified three main areas of the significance of food: (1) food as an element of cultural exploration, (2) local cuisine as a motivator or barrier when choosing a race, (3) food as a symbolic reward and structured recovery practice supporting nutritional and psychological processes. Approaches varied by nationality—British participants preferred spontaneous taste discovery, Ukrainians valued culinary comfort similar to home, and Germans planned their culinary experiences with greater awareness. Conclusions: Local cuisine plays a multifaceted role in international running events, serving not only nutritional needs but also emotional and cultural functions that shape the overall participant experience. Both event organizers and local restaurants should consider offering diverse and culturally sensitive food options to enhance recovery, satisfaction, and the appeal of sports tourism destinations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Literacy and Public Health Nutrition)

Review

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35 pages, 2550 KB  
Review
The Evolution of Nutrition Policy in South Korea: From Aid Recipient to Global Nutrition Policy Model
by Seung Yeon Baek, Young Eun Lee, Ae Rang Lee, Ji-Yun Hwang and Jaehan Kim
Nutrients 2026, 18(12), 1959; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18121959 - 17 Jun 2026
Viewed by 816
Abstract
Background/Objectives: South Korea has experienced a rapid transition from widespread food insecurity and undernutrition to a comprehensive and institutionalized nutrition policy system. This study aimed to examine the historical evolution of Korean nutrition policy and nutrition education from the 1960s to the present [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: South Korea has experienced a rapid transition from widespread food insecurity and undernutrition to a comprehensive and institutionalized nutrition policy system. This study aimed to examine the historical evolution of Korean nutrition policy and nutrition education from the 1960s to the present and to explore its implications for global nutrition governance and nutrition-related Official Development Assistance (ODA). Methods: A narrative review was conducted using historical documents, government reports, nutrition policies, national health plans, legislation, and previous academic studies related to Korean nutrition policy and nutrition education. Results: Korean nutrition policy evolved through several developmental phases, including an aid-dependent relief period, a state-led food security and school feeding expansion phase, a preventive health and nutrition education phase, and a stage of legal and institutional consolidation. More recently, policies have shifted toward evidence-based, equity-oriented, and life-course approaches. Korea has also expanded its nutrition policy experience through ODA initiatives by supporting institutional development, workforce training, community-based nutrition education, and adaptable nutrition management systems in developing countries. Conclusions: Korea’s experience demonstrates how long-term governmental commitment, legislation, surveillance systems, and nutrition education can contribute to national nutrition improvement during rapid socioeconomic transition. These findings may provide useful insights for countries facing the double burden of malnutrition and seeking sustainable and adaptive nutrition policy systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Literacy and Public Health Nutrition)
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