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

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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

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All Children Dietetics Foods IJERPH Nutrients

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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

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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)

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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

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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)

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