Designing a Model for Developing Food Literacy Among Youth: Insights from Summer Camps

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Education
• Public Health Interventions
• Youth Development Programs

Background:

• Food literacy is well-researched in schools but underexplored in summer camp settings.
• Summer camps offer unique opportunities for promoting healthy eating behaviors in youth.
• An adapted food literacy model was developed to suit the camp environment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the clarity, usefulness, and relevance of an adapted food literacy model for summer camps.
• To gather feedback from camp counselors, managers, and registered dietitians (RDs).
• To refine the food literacy model based on stakeholder input.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study employing semi-structured focus groups with camp counselors (n=28) and individual interviews with camp managers (n=5) and RDs (n=6).
• Conducted in Quebec and Ontario, Canada.
• Thematic content analysis of transcribed data informed a bottom-up refinement of the model.

Main Results:

• Counselors and managers desired an easy-to-use model with clearer instructions and visual aids.
• Stakeholders requested practical activity ideas and training to enhance model implementation.
• RDs confirmed the model's relevance but suggested clarifications for better youth applicability.

Conclusions:

• A co-created, clear, useful, and relevant food literacy model was developed for summer camps.
• The model empowers camp counselors to implement effective healthy eating initiatives.
• This initiative aims to increase opportunities for promoting healthy habits in youth through camp programs.