Who has a high level of food literacy, and who does not?: a qualitative study of college students in South Korea

• DOI: 10.4162/nrp.2023.17.6.1155
• Publication Date: 2023-11-29T06:14:07Z
• Authors: Hyelim Yoo; Eunbin Jo; Hyeongyeong Lee; Eunji Ko; Eunjin Jang; Jiwon Sim; Sohyun Park
• Keywords: Snowball sampling; Thematic Analysis; Facilitator

Unhealthy food choices among young adults are common globally, and the incidence of chronic diseases, such as obesity, is rising. Food literacy (FL) important for improving maintaining individual health in a rapidly changing environment can form basis following sustainable diet. Therefore, it essential to improve FL adults, particularly college students, who formative years their lifelong habits. This study examined facilitators barriers related dietary behavior students South Korea.This recruited 25 with different residence types using convenience snowball sampling. In-person, telephone, video interviews were conducted from March November 2021. The interview data analyzed framework analysis based on socio-ecological model.At level, prior good experiences most frequently mentioned facilitator. In contrast, major lack knowledge, financial hardship, irregular schedules, academic stress. At interpersonal influences family peers, early exposure healthy eating habits opportunities have easy accessibility farms farming, facilitators, but sense community was barrier. environmental unfavorable environments at home neighborhoods, absence kitchens housing large packaging produce markets.Many factors affected students' practices. These findings suggest that campus-based program should be developed by reflecting these barriers.