Transforming Childhood Nutrition: New Perspectives on Food Literacy and Healthy Diets: 2nd Edition

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Childhood and adolescence are critical developmental stages. Inadequate nutrition during these stages can potentially slow growth, as well as result in a high risk of developing diet-related noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), with long-term consequences persisting into adulthood. School food literacy education provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the formal education system to improve the food knowledge and skills of school-age children and adolescents, allowing them to reach their full development potential. Thus, it is pertinent to spur additional research on the evaluation of food literacy status, particularly in areas where malnutrition and food insecurity coexist. Furthermore, food-based literacy interventions in and out of school settings should be evaluated for efficacy and applicability across multiple demographics. Highlighting the inadequate levels of food literacy among children and adolescents and its association with their health and nutrition status is one pathway to advocate for future interventions in nutrition policies and programming targeted towards these vulnerable groups within the population.

Prof. Dr. Maha Hoteit
Dr. Reema Tayyem
Dr. Hassan Younes
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Children children	2.1	3.8	2014	15.6 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Dietetics dietetics	-	-	2022	26.5 Days	CHF 1000	Submit
Foods foods	5.1	8.7	2012	14.9 Days	CHF 2900	Submit
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ijerph	-	8.5	2004	27.8 Days	CHF 2500	Submit
Nutrients nutrients	5.0	9.1	2009	12.9 Days	CHF 2900	Submit

Preprints.org is a multidisciplinary platform offering a preprint service designed to facilitate the early sharing of your research. It supports and empowers your research journey from the very beginning.

MDPI Topics is collaborating with Preprints.org and has established a direct connection between MDPI journals and the platform. Authors are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity by posting their preprints at Preprints.org prior to publication:

1. Share your research immediately: disseminate your ideas prior to publication and establish priority for your work.
2. Safeguard your intellectual contribution: Protect your ideas with a time-stamped preprint that serves as proof of your research timeline.
3. Boost visibility and impact: Increase the reach and influence of your research by making it accessible to a global audience.
4. Gain early feedback: Receive valuable input and insights from peers before submitting to a journal.
5. Ensure broad indexing: Web of Science (Preprint Citation Index), Google Scholar, Crossref, SHARE, PrePubMed, Scilit and Europe PMC.

Related Topic

Published Papers (5 papers)

Order results

Content type Publication Date

Result details

Normal Extended Compact

Journals

All Children Dietetics Foods IJERPH Nutrients

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Plain Text BibTeX BibTeX (without abstracts) Endnote Endnote (without abstracts) Tab-delimited RIS

Error

Oops... you haven't selected anything for export.

Ok

clear

attachment

Supplementary material:
Supplementary File 1 (ZIP, 207 KB)

15 pages, 1426 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Dietary Patterns, Not Gut Microbiome Composition, Are Associated with Behavioral Challenges in Children with Autism: An Observational Study

by Genna Di Benedetto, Germana Sorge, Marco Sarchiapone and Luca Di Martino

Nutrients 2025, 17(21), 3476; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17213476 - 4 Nov 2025

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent social communication difficulties and restricted, repetitive behaviors, with prevalence estimates continuing to rise worldwide. The gut–brain axis has been proposed as a potential contributor to ASD, yet human studies [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent social communication difficulties and restricted, repetitive behaviors, with prevalence estimates continuing to rise worldwide. The gut–brain axis has been proposed as a potential contributor to ASD, yet human studies yield inconsistent findings, partly due to confounding effects of diet and behavior. Methods: Here, we investigated the gut bacteriome and mycobiome of children with ASD (n = 17) compared with their non-ASD siblings (n = 9) and parents without ASD (n = 27), alongside detailed assessment of dietary intake (n = 79) using 7-day food diaries. Results: Multi-kingdom microbiome profiling revealed no significant differences in α- or β- diversity across ASD, sibling, and parental groups, with only minor taxonomic variation observed. Similarly, fungal community composition showed negligible group-level differences. By contrast, dietary patterns strongly differentiated ASD from non-ASD participants: children with ASD consumed higher levels of sweets and sugary foods, lower portions of vegetables, and exhibited reduced overall dietary diversity. Statistical analyses confirmed that dietary factors, rather than microbial composition, explained variation in ASD diagnosis. Conclusions: These findings suggest that selective and repetitive eating behaviors are characteristic of ASD shape dietary intake, which in turn influences gut microbial diversity. Thus, in humans, the directionality may run primarily from behavior to diet to microbiome, rather than from microbiome to behavior. Our results underscore the importance of incorporating dietary variables into microbiome research and highlight the need for targeted nutritional interventions to improve health outcomes in individuals with ASD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Transforming Childhood Nutrition: New Perspectives on Food Literacy and Healthy Diets: 2nd Edition)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

attachment

Supplementary material:
Supplementary File 1 (ZIP, 132 KB)

24 pages, 335 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Breaking the Cycle of Malnutrition: The Role of Food and Nutrition Literacy in Addressing Food Insecurity Among Lebanese Adolescents

by Elie Ghadban, Tigresse Boutros, Souheil Hallit, Nikolaos Tzenios, Yonna Sacre and Maha Hoteit

Nutrients 2025, 17(19), 3140; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17193140 - 30 Sep 2025

Viewed by 545

Abstract

Background: Undernutrition and overnutrition are considered a rising challenge among adolescents in low- and middle-income countries, including Lebanon, where overlapping economic, political, and public health crises have worsened food insecurity. Food and nutrition literacy in adolescents may serve as protective factors against food [...] Read more.

Background: Undernutrition and overnutrition are considered a rising challenge among adolescents in low- and middle-income countries, including Lebanon, where overlapping economic, political, and public health crises have worsened food insecurity. Food and nutrition literacy in adolescents may serve as protective factors against food insecurity and its nutritional consequences. This study aims to evaluate the associations between adolescent and parental food and nutrition literacy with household and adolescent food insecurity, and explores their relationship with stunting and overweight/obesity. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between March and July 2022 among 442 Lebanese adolescents (10–18 years) and one parent/caregiver per household, recruited via snowball sampling from all eight governorates. Validated tools assessed adolescent food and nutrition literacy, parental food literacy, household/adolescent food insecurity, and anthropometric status. Chi-square, t-tests, and multivariable logistic regressions identified factors associated with food insecurity, stunting, and overweight/obesity. Results: Higher adolescent food and nutrition literacy was significantly associated with lower odds of severe food insecurity (aOR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.26–0.70). Higher parental food literacy scores were linked to reduced odds of severe household food insecurity (aOR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.90–0.98). Severe food insecurity was more likely in households in Akkar and among adolescents not attending school or with poor food and nutrition literacy. Overweight/obesity was positively associated with attending private school and higher parental body mass index, but inversely associated with higher child food security and household crowding index. No significant association was found between food insecurity and stunting. Conclusions: Both adolescent and parental food and nutrition literacy are protective against severe food insecurity, highlighting the value of literacy-focused interventions alongside economic support measures. Addressing both educational and structural determinants may help break the cycle of malnutrition in crisis-affected Lebanese youth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Transforming Childhood Nutrition: New Perspectives on Food Literacy and Healthy Diets: 2nd Edition)

13 pages, 589 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Validating the Arabic Adolescent Nutrition Literacy Scale (ANLS): A Reliable Tool for Measuring Nutrition Literacy

by Sahar Obeid, Souheil Hallit, Feten Fekih-Romdhane, Yonna Sacre, Marie Hokayem, Ayoub Saeidi, Lamya Sabbah, Nikolaos Tzenios and Maha Hoteit

Nutrients 2025, 17(15), 2457; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17152457 - 28 Jul 2025

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1373

Abstract

Introduction: Nutrition literacy has garnered growing research attention worldwide, yet only a few instruments have been developed to specifically measure this construct among adolescents. Accordingly, the present research sought to examine the validity and reliability of the Adolescent Nutrition Literacy Scale (ANLS) [...] Read more.

Introduction: Nutrition literacy has garnered growing research attention worldwide, yet only a few instruments have been developed to specifically measure this construct among adolescents. Accordingly, the present research sought to examine the validity and reliability of the Adolescent Nutrition Literacy Scale (ANLS) within a group of Lebanese adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from December 2022 to March 2023, targeting a nationally representative sample. Results: Fit indices of the three-factor structure were good. Internal reliability was adequate for the following three subscales: Functional Nutrition Literacy (FNL) (ω = 0.88/α = 0.88), Interactive Nutrition Literacy (INL) (ω = 0.87/α = 0.86) and Critical Nutrition Literacy (CNL) (ω = 0.89/α = 0.89). Invariance was established across genders at configural, metric, and scalar levels. A significantly higher mean FNL and INL scores were found in males compared to females, with no significant difference between the two genders in terms of CNL. Higher FNL, but not CNL and INL scores were significantly associated with lower child food security. Conclusions: The Arabic ANLS has exhibited robust psychometric reliability, validity, and cost-effectiveness as a tool for assessing nutrition literacy. By utilizing the Arabic version of the ANLS, we can more efficiently and accurately assess the nutritional literacy of adolescents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Transforming Childhood Nutrition: New Perspectives on Food Literacy and Healthy Diets: 2nd Edition)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

attachment

Supplementary material:
Supplementary File 1 (ZIP, 71 KB)

19 pages, 487 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Nutrition Literacy and Food Practices of Preschool Teachers in Greece

by Charistoula Chatzinikola, Vasileios Papavasileiou, Nikolaos Andreadakis and Antonios E. Koutelidakis

Dietetics 2025, 4(3), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/dietetics4030025 - 20 Jun 2025

Viewed by 944

Abstract

Background: Nutrition literacy, defined as “the skills to comprehend and implement nutrition information into everyday practice”, is a new area of study. Preschool teachers affect children’s perception of nutrition and health and contribute to their nutrition literacy skills. Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed [...] Read more.

Background: Nutrition literacy, defined as “the skills to comprehend and implement nutrition information into everyday practice”, is a new area of study. Preschool teachers affect children’s perception of nutrition and health and contribute to their nutrition literacy skills. Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the level of nutrition literacy (NLS-Gr) of preschool teachers. Methods: The research included two stages of cluster sampling in a sample of kindergarten teachers in Greece (Rhodes Island). Nutrition literacy was assessed with the NLS-Gr, the Greek version of the NLS, and adherence to a Mediterranean diet with the MedDiet score. Results: The mean NLS-Gr score was 25.87 (SD ± 2.2) and is considered adequate. The correct answers range from 65.1% to 100%. The MedDiet score was calculated at 33.94 (SD ± 3.8), and no correlation was found between the MedDiet score and the NLS-Gr. The NLS-Gr score of kindergarten teachers was adequate, higher than that of previous research on different populations. Conclusions: The study concluded that adherence to the Mediterranean diet requires improvement, and food waste needs to be reduced. Educators should be empowered through targeted educational interventions to improve their dietary habits and, therefore, enhance students’ health and nutritional behaviors. Further research is needed to contribute to formulating nutrition strategies and policies in kindergarten. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Transforming Childhood Nutrition: New Perspectives on Food Literacy and Healthy Diets: 2nd Edition)

►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

attachment

Supplementary material:
Supplementary File 1 (ZIP, 168 KB)

16 pages, 285 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Redefining Roles—Fathers Play a Crucial Role in Shaping Children’s Healthy Eating Behaviors: Cross-Sectional Observational Study

by Nicholas Beng Hui Ng, Jamie Qiao Xin Ng, Liang Shen and Shefaly Shorey

Nutrients 2025, 17(5), 860; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17050860 - 28 Feb 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1887

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Fathers have been largely understudied in feeding research, as most studies have focused on mothers. This study aims to explore the relationship between paternal feeding practices and child eating behaviors. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional observational design. Fathers (n = [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Fathers have been largely understudied in feeding research, as most studies have focused on mothers. This study aims to explore the relationship between paternal feeding practices and child eating behaviors. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional observational design. Fathers (n = 114) completed one-off self-reported questionnaires using the Child Feeding Practices Questionnaire and the Child Eating Behaviors Questionnaire from October 2023 to February 2024. Variations in feeding practices across sociodemographic factors were explored using correlational statistics. The generalized linear model was used to identify relationships between paternal feeding practices and child eating behaviors. Results: For young children, the availability of healthy food at home was positively associated with food approach behaviors, while paternal practices of pressuring and child control were linked to increased food avoidance. Among school-aged children, using food as a reward was positively associated with food approach behaviors, while using food to regulate emotions was linked to increased food avoidance. Restriction for weight control was associated with both food approach and avoidant behaviors. In adolescents, paternal monitoring of their diet and certain socioeconomic conditions were observed to be associated with their eating behaviors. Conclusions: The findings provide valuable insights into the role of paternal feeding practices in shaping children’s eating behaviors and highlight the potential for interventions targeting modifiable paternal behaviors to support healthy eating habits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Transforming Childhood Nutrition: New Perspectives on Food Literacy and Healthy Diets: 2nd Edition)

►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Plain Text BibTeX BibTeX (without abstracts) Endnote Endnote (without abstracts) Tab-delimited RIS

 

Error

Oops... you haven't selected anything for export.

Ok

clear

Displaying articles 1-5