How Are Adolescents Participating in the Transformation of Healthy Food Environments? A Scoping Review of Empirical Research

Abstract

Adolescence (10–19 years) is a pivotal life stage, presenting both risks and opportunities for optimizing nutrition. There are global calls advocating for adolescents to play a central role in transforming food environments. The extent to which adolescents have participated in research to improve food environments is unknown. A scoping review was conducted to investigate the extent, impact, and processes of adolescent participation in food environment research. Included studies were mapped through the Healthy Food Environment Policy Index. Extent, impact (individual/community/national/international-level), and processes (barriers/enablers) were analyzed. Adolescent co-researchers informed each stage. Eighty-nine articles (70 unique studies with 20,697 participants across 31 countries) were identified. Most (81%) were conducted in high-income countries. Food retail (56%) and provision (54%) were most reported, improving the availability of healthy food in their local community and school. Most were adolescent-led (41%); however, only 16% included adolescents throughout each research stage. Impact included improved professional skills and implemented policy. Using engaging participatory methods helped reduce power imbalances. There is substantial evidence of adolescents participating in various modes, methods, and levels of research to transform healthy food environments through policy, demonstrating adolescents can be central actors for change. Ensuring diverse representation from priority population groups and lower-income countries is necessary to reduce the global noncommunicable disease burden.