Defining food literacy, its components, development and relationship to food intake : A case study of young people and disadvantage

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore food literacy from the perspective of consumers. Given that these components and how they relate to nutrition is likely to be highly contextual, the researchers chose to focus on one specific group as a case study; people aged 16-25 years living in an urban area who were responsible for feeding themselves. The researchers were particularly interested in examining the influence of disadvantage. This study spoke to people across a spectrum of social exclusion and poverty. In addition to exploring the concept of food literacy, the study also examined the development of participants’ food literacy within their individual contexts. The results were then compared with an earlier related study of Australian food experts to determine: a definition for food literacy, identification of its components and a model for its relationship to nutrition and chronic disease more broadly.These results will be
useful in the planning of interventions and investment to address food literacy.