Development of food literacy in children and adolescents

Nutrition is one of the characteristics of modern human health. Education in this area and the development of a critical attitude towards information on food products will help the younger generation to make right health choices. Childhood and adolescence are key life periods, when intensive development and foundation of the personality take place, basic ideas about oneself and others are formed, including the grounds of food literacy. Designing and implementing programs to develop this competency from early childhood promotes healthy and sustainable eating habits. This article presents the stages of food literacy formation, different approaches to its study in childhood and adolescence, and demonstrates the results of domestic studies that will help to develop a strategy to improve food literacy in the interests of children and adolescents. Key words: food literacy, childhood periods, healthy eating, formation of healthy eating habits