Food literacy assessment tools for adults: a scoping review of dimensional evolution, cultural adaptation, and...

An unhealthy diet is a major modifiable risk factor for non-communicable diseases. Higher levels of food literacy facilitate the adoption of healthy dietary behaviours; therefore, the development and validation of assessment tools are crucial for public health and clinical practice. However, existing assessment tools are fragmented, and there is a lack of systematic analysis regarding dimensional evolution, cross-cultural adaptation, and practical implementation pathways.

This scoping review employed the Arksey and O'Malley framework along with PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Seven databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Wanfang, SinoMed, CNKI, and VIP) were searched for studies published between January 1, 2015, and November 16, 2025. Using descriptive content analysis, we synthesized evidence regarding how these tools have evolved, how they are adapted across cultures, and how they may be applied in practice.

A total of 28 studies involving 21 assessment tools were included; 13 were newly developed tools, and eight were culturally adapted or validated tools. The analysis identified three major findings: (1) Food literacy assessment tools commonly incorporated four core domains: skills, knowledge, behaviours, and attitudes, with some instruments extending beyond individual competencies toward broader social, environmental, and food-system-related dimensions; (2) Cultural adaptation strategies were descriptively summarized into three categories: language and semantic adaptation, structural and measurement adaptation, and conceptual and value embedding, while deeper integration of culturally embedded meanings remained limited; (3) Most tools had limited evidence regarding implementation in real-world community or clinical settings, particularly concerning the linkage between assessment results and subsequent interventions or nursing practice.

Food literacy assessment tools have continued to expand in dimensional scope and cultural adaptation approaches. However, many tools remain focused on measuring static individual competencies and provide limited insight into how food-related capabilities are applied within real-life contexts. Future research should prioritize contextualized assessment approaches, implementation studies in community and clinical settings, and evaluation of the relationships between assessment results and health outcomes. Strengthening collaboration among nurses and other healthcare professionals may facilitate the translation of food literacy assessment into individualized and context-sensitive interventions.

OSF, registration DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/3T6M5.