Awareness and Use of Canada's Food Guide and Their Association With Dietary Behaviours Among Canadian Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the 2023 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth

Abstract

Canadian adolescents have suboptimal diets, requiring evidence on engagement with Canada’s Food Guide (CFG). This cross-sectional study described CFG awareness and use among adolescents and assessed associations between use and fruit and vegetable (F&V) and sugary beverage intakes among 6,930 adolescents aged 12-17 years in the 2023 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth. Participants were dichotomised into CFG users and non-users. Survey-weighted, adjusted logistic regression models examined whether CFG use was associated with consuming F&V ≥5 times/day and sugary beverages ≥5 times/week. Most (84%) adolescents were aware of CFG and 46% reported having used CFG, mainly to assess how well they were eating (40%). CFG users had higher odds of eating F&V ≥5 times/day (aOR=1.43, 95% CI=1.14-1.80) and lower odds of consuming sugary beverages ≥5 times/week (aOR=0.83, 95% CI=0.69-0.99) compared to non-users. Greater use of CFG among adolescents was associated with healthier food choices, although engagement remained limited.