Food and Nutrition Literacy: Exploring the Divide between Research and Practice

Abstract

This study addresses the growing recognition of the importance of food and nutrition literacy, while highlighting the limited research in this field, particularly the gap between research and practice. A bibliometric analysis of publications on food and nutrition literacy research from the Scopus database was carried out. Endnote 20, VOSviewer, and Harzing’s Publish or Perish were used to analyze the results. The growth of publications, authorship patterns, collaboration, prolific authors, country contributions, preferred journals, and top-cited articles were the bibliometric indicators used. Subsequently, articles aimed at measuring food or nutrition literacy-implemented programs were analyzed. Existing studies have primarily concentrated on defining and measuring food or nutrition literacy. Although interventions targeting food and nutritional literacy have shown promise in promoting healthy eating, further research is required to identify effective approaches in diverse populations and settings. This study emphasizes the need for additional research to measure intervention program efficacy to enhance the policies and practices in this critical area of public health. These findings underscore the importance of understanding food/nutrition literacy and developing effective interventions to promote healthy eating habits. By bridging the research–practice divide, this study provides valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers to address the gaps and improve food/nutrition literacy in various contexts.

Enhancing Food and Nutrition Literacy: A Key Strategy for Reducing Food Waste and Improving Diet Quality

“…In recent years, there has been a growing focus on the concepts of food and nutrition literacy [10]. These concepts have evolved from the broader domain of health literacy, reflecting the necessity for individuals to orient themselves in the complex issues of food and nutrition through specialized knowledge and skills [41].…”

“…This is amplified in rural /remote areas and those of lower socio-economic status and household income [59]. People from low-income or marginalized backgrounds may, therefore, face additional challenges in accessing nutritious foods and understanding good dietary practices, and it is necessary to address these disparities by implementing interventions specifically designed for these populations [10]. A study conducted by Eicher-Miller et al [60] demonstrated the effect of "Food Stamp Nutrition Education", a nutrition education program aimed at low-income participants.…”

“…For the same purpose, it may be useful to promote participation in contests or challenges linked to the information campaign, in which citizens become protagonists of the initiative itself. Social media offers a powerful platform to promote food and nutrition literacy by providing widespread access to educational resources, fostering community engagement, influencing consumer behaviors and behavior change [10].…”

“…Identifying the causes that lead to food waste is essential to develop effective interventions to reduce food waste at the consumer level, such as educational policies, communication strategies, and evidence-based recommendations [9]. In recent years, the need to educate citizens about environmental issues and the sustainability of food system has become increasingly evident, and food and nutrition literacy has become a critical area of research, covering a range of topics, such as nutrition education, food labeling, and dietary behavior change [10]. According to Evans [11], empowering citizens is the first step to preventing household food waste.…”

Nutrition and Food Literacy: Framing the Challenges to Health Communication

“…People feel that scientists do not agree with each other and are constantly changing their minds. With so much information about what people should eat and how much exercise they should do each day, it can be difficult for even the most educated people to sort through it all, and this confusion can lead them to make unhealthy choices when they are not aware of what they are doing [1,2]. In the first part of the paper, we attempted to clarify the differences between nutrition and food literacy, which are often wrongly used as synonyms.…”