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Enhancing Adolescent Food Literacy Through Mediterranean Diet Principles: From Evidence to Practice.

Nutrients
April 17, 2025
Paula Silva
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to develop and evaluate a school-based intervention (FOODWISELab) grounded in Mediterranean diet principles to improve adolescent food literacy in Portugal.

Results Summary

The study synthesized experiential strategies (e.g., school gardens, cooking classes) to design a culturally relevant intervention. It proposed a structured model integrating hands-on learning and community involvement to address adolescent food literacy gaps.

Population

Socioeconomically disadvantaged adolescents in Portuguese public secondary schools (urban and rural).

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (4)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
FOODWISELab: The Mediterranean Diet Experience
increase
adolescent food literacy
adolescents in Portugal
-
addresses the well-documented gap
#1
FOODWISELab: The Mediterranean Diet Experience
increase
adolescent health
adolescents in Portugal
-
aims to promote
#2
FOODWISELab: The Mediterranean Diet Experience
increase
sustainability
adolescents in Portugal
-
aims to promote
#3
FOODWISELab: The Mediterranean Diet Experience
increase
cultural heritage
adolescents in Portugal
-
aims to promote
#4
Abstract

Adolescent obesity and inadequate dietary habits remain pressing public health concerns in Portugal, particularly among socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. Food literacy has emerged as a critical framework for promoting healthier eating behaviors; however, school-based interventions are rarely culturally grounded or theoretically structured. This narrative review synthesizes the experiential strategies described in the literature to improve adolescent food literacy in school settings. It provides a conceptual foundation for and supports the design rationale of FOODWISELab: The Mediterranean Diet Experience-a school-based intervention aligned with Mediterranean diet principles and specifically tailored to the Portuguese educational context. Findings from the literature-emphasizing the value of school gardens, cooking classes, digital tools, and curricular integration-guided the development of FOODWISELab: The Mediterranean Diet Experience, a comprehensive intervention designed for implementation in public secondary schools in Portugal. The proposed protocol bridges the gap between research and practice by offering a structured, context-sensitive model built around four core pedagogical domains: planning, selecting, preparing, and eating. It integrates multiple components, including hands-on learning, family and community involvement, and robust evaluation strategy. FOODWISELab addresses the well-documented gap in adolescent food literacy by delivering a feasible, culturally relevant, and replicable intervention. The anchored Mediterranean dietary model aims to promote adolescent health, sustainability, and cultural heritage in both the urban and rural educational contexts. By presenting a detailed and actionable protocol, this review enhances the practical value of food literacy research and offers strategic guidance for future educational and public health initiatives.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansDiet, MediterraneanAdolescentPortugalHealth LiteracyFeeding BehaviorPediatric ObesityAdolescent BehaviorSchoolsSchool Health ServicesHealth Promotion
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality80/10
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score2.60
Normalized Score0.66
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