Health Literacy in Early Childhood: A Systematic Review of Empirical Studies
Early childhood plays a key role in the formation of healthy habits and the establishment of health literacy. Nonetheless, there are only a few research studies focusing on the health literacy level of children under the age of eight. The aim of our systematic review is to explore empirical research...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-07-01
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| Series: | Children |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/9/8/1131 |
| _version_ | 1827600443023294464 |
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| author | Henrietta Bánfai-Csonka József Betlehem Krisztina Deutsch Martina Derzsi-Horváth Bálint Bánfai Judit Fináncz Judit Podráczky Melinda Csima |
| author_facet | Henrietta Bánfai-Csonka József Betlehem Krisztina Deutsch Martina Derzsi-Horváth Bálint Bánfai Judit Fináncz Judit Podráczky Melinda Csima |
| author_sort | Henrietta Bánfai-Csonka |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Early childhood plays a key role in the formation of healthy habits and the establishment of health literacy. Nonetheless, there are only a few research studies focusing on the health literacy level of children under the age of eight. The aim of our systematic review is to explore empirical research on health literacy related to early childhood. The research was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA protocol. This systematic review examines 12 studies published between 2013–2022. Results show that research focuses on different domains of health literacy for children. In relation to children’s food literacy, children understand the relationship between health and nutrition and they realize the health impact of obesity. The habits connected to oral health are strongly associated with parents’ knowledge of and behaviours around oral health. Results related to health care situations show that children are able to be actively involved in decision-making processes in connection with their health. Exploring young children’s health literacy is essential in order to be able to plan health promotion interventions, embedded into early childhood education. Picture-based messages or story-based messages supported by illustrations can help measure health literacy in early childhood and can support the formation of health literacy. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T04:36:07Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a59072e4818d4fe6a68571586f733584 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-9067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T04:36:07Z |
| publishDate | 2022-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Children |
| spelling | doaj.art-a59072e4818d4fe6a68571586f7335842023-12-03T13:28:08ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672022-07-0198113110.3390/children9081131Health Literacy in Early Childhood: A Systematic Review of Empirical StudiesHenrietta Bánfai-Csonka0József Betlehem1Krisztina Deutsch2Martina Derzsi-Horváth3Bálint Bánfai4Judit Fináncz5Judit Podráczky6Melinda Csima7Institute of Emergency Care and Pedagogy of Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, 7621 Pécs, HungaryInstitute of Emergency Care and Pedagogy of Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, 7621 Pécs, HungaryInstitute of Emergency Care and Pedagogy of Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, 7621 Pécs, HungaryDoctoral School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, 7621 Pécs, HungaryInstitute of Emergency Care and Pedagogy of Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, 7621 Pécs, HungaryInstitute of Education, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Science, 7400 Kaposvár, HungaryInstitute of Education, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Science, 7400 Kaposvár, HungaryInstitute of Education, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Science, 7400 Kaposvár, HungaryEarly childhood plays a key role in the formation of healthy habits and the establishment of health literacy. Nonetheless, there are only a few research studies focusing on the health literacy level of children under the age of eight. The aim of our systematic review is to explore empirical research on health literacy related to early childhood. The research was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA protocol. This systematic review examines 12 studies published between 2013–2022. Results show that research focuses on different domains of health literacy for children. In relation to children’s food literacy, children understand the relationship between health and nutrition and they realize the health impact of obesity. The habits connected to oral health are strongly associated with parents’ knowledge of and behaviours around oral health. Results related to health care situations show that children are able to be actively involved in decision-making processes in connection with their health. Exploring young children’s health literacy is essential in order to be able to plan health promotion interventions, embedded into early childhood education. Picture-based messages or story-based messages supported by illustrations can help measure health literacy in early childhood and can support the formation of health literacy.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/9/8/1131early childhoodhealth literacykindergartenpreschool children |
| spellingShingle | Henrietta Bánfai-Csonka József Betlehem Krisztina Deutsch Martina Derzsi-Horváth Bálint Bánfai Judit Fináncz Judit Podráczky Melinda Csima Health Literacy in Early Childhood: A Systematic Review of Empirical Studies Children early childhood health literacy kindergarten preschool children |
| title | Health Literacy in Early Childhood: A Systematic Review of Empirical Studies |
| title_full | Health Literacy in Early Childhood: A Systematic Review of Empirical Studies |
| title_fullStr | Health Literacy in Early Childhood: A Systematic Review of Empirical Studies |
| title_full_unstemmed | Health Literacy in Early Childhood: A Systematic Review of Empirical Studies |
| title_short | Health Literacy in Early Childhood: A Systematic Review of Empirical Studies |
| title_sort | health literacy in early childhood a systematic review of empirical studies |
| topic | early childhood health literacy kindergarten preschool children |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/9/8/1131 |
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