Food education and nutritional knowledge among high school students to promote healthy habits

Abstract

Food education during adolescence aims to shape a set of knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to nutrition and health. At school, nutrition education helps students understand the interrelationship between food, biological processes, and everyday decisions; however, knowledge does not necessarily translate into practice. This study analyzed the attitudes of high school students regarding food education, their nutritional knowledge, and its subsequent relationship with healthy practices. The research was conducted using a mixed-methods, field-based, and bibliographic-documentary approach, with an applied objective, descriptive level, non-experimental design, cross-sectional approach, and deductive inference. The study population consisted of 60 students, 2 Natural Sciences teachers, and 1 academic authority. A Likert-scale survey was administered, along with interviews with teachers and the institutional authority.
The results showed that 42% considered the clarity and applicability of nutritional content favorable; 77% considered the use of complementary resources favorable, while only 35% considered the application of the criteria learned to select foods favorable. Likewise, 90% believed that an interactive teaching guide would increase student motivation and its applicability in classes. In conclusion, a gap is perceived between nutritional knowledge and eating practices, demonstrating the need to strengthen contextualized and practical education.