Digital Nutrition Literacy as a Protective Factor Against Unhealthy Food Choices through Online Food Delivery Apps among School-Going Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Analytical Study
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20153065
Abstract
Background: Digital food marketing and online food delivery apps increasingly expose adolescents to fast food, desserts, fried snacks, and sugar-sweetened beverages. Digital nutrition literacy may help adolescents recognize persuasive food promotion and make healthier choices. This study examined whether digital nutrition literacy modifies the relationship between digital food marketing exposure, app-based food ordering, and unhealthy dietary choices among school-going adolescents.
Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 420 adolescents aged 13–18 years from selected schools. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering socio-demographic variables, digital food marketing exposure, online food delivery app use, digital nutrition literacy, dietary choices, screen time, pocket money, and physical activity. Height and weight were measured for BMI classification. An unhealthy diet score was constructed from frequent fast food intake, sugar-sweetened beverage intake, fried snack intake, dessert intake, low fruit and vegetable intake, and breakfast skipping. Digital nutrition literacy was categorized as low, moderate, and high. Associations were analyzed using chi-square tests, analysis of variance, and logistic regression with interaction terms.
Results: Higher digital food marketing exposure was associated with a higher unhealthy diet score. Adolescents with low digital nutrition literacy showed the strongest association between marketing exposure and unhealthy eating. Students with high literacy also showed increased unhealthy choices with greater exposure, but the effect was smaller. Frequent use of food delivery apps predicted unhealthy dietary choices, while higher digital nutrition literacy showed a protective association after adjustment for age, sex, school type, pocket money, screen time, and physical activity.
Conclusion: Digital nutrition literacy may reduce, but not eliminate, the dietary risks linked to food delivery apps and digital food marketing. Adolescent nutrition strategies should combine literacy education with healthier school environments, parental monitoring, and regulation of unhealthy digital food promotion.
How to Cite
Rakhi, Neeraj Choudhary, "Digital Nutrition Literacy as a Protective Factor Against Unhealthy Food Choices through Online Food Delivery Apps among School-Going Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Analytical Study", Vol. 4, Issue 1, 26-04-2026, pp. 15-25. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20153065
