Nutritional literacy of adolescents

This bachelor thesis deals with the nutritional literacy of adolescents aged 11 to 18 years. The theoretical part defines the specifics of this developmental period, the influence of psychosocial changes, and the role of the family and school environment. The aim of the thesis is to evaluate the level of nutritional knowledge of adolescents, map their eating habits, and identify motivations and barriers to a healthy lifestyle. The practical part is based on a quantitative questionnaire survey conducted on a sample of 86 respondents. The results revealed a significant discrepancy between theoretical knowledge and real behavior. Although 93% of respondents understand the concept of a balanced diet, only 9.2% know the specific recommendations for fruit and vegetable consumption. Appearance (33.3%) proved to be the strongest motivator for healthy eating, rather than disease prevention. The conclusion of the thesis suggests that future interventions should focus on strengthening the intrinsic motivation and practical skills of adolescents, as theoretical education alone proves to be insufficient. Keywords: nutritional literacy, adolescence, eating habits, motivations and barriers to healthy eating, healthy lifestyle