Adolescents engagement in food risk communication: implementation and evaluation of an online tool

The Internet has become an important source of information on health related themes. Especially through social networks, blogs and forums, web users have the opportunity to share their opinion and interact with each other.... [ view full abstract ]

The Internet has become an important source of information on health related themes. Especially through social networks, blogs and forums, web users have the opportunity to share their opinion and interact with each other. Food safety issues have become increasingly widespread among the topics discussed on the web.
The research project here presented aimed to promote the adoption of correct eating practices and healthy lifestyles among young consumers who surf the web. An online communication tool focused on chemical risk in food was developed and evaluated.
Secondary school students were engaged in the research project which consisted of two phases: the design and implementation of an online communication tool and the assessment of this tool. The first part of the research was characterized by a participatory process: two Scenario workshops were realized with students. The application of this method allowed the involvement of the target audience in the design of the most suitable web tool to communicate chemical risk to adolescents. Based on students’ suggestions the interactive web platform entitled “Chemical risk in the dish” has been realized by a web developer. The scientific contents published in the platform were written by students and revised by experts. Within the tool it is possible to find information both on specific foods that can be contaminated by chemical substances (e.g. fish products which could contain heavy metals) and on molecules which could develop from foods and can be dangerous for health, namely histamine, benzopyrene and acrylamide. Good practices for risk reduction were provided in order to give the consumer useful advices for self protection.
In the second part of the research the weaknesses and the strengths of the web platform were evaluated by means of a mixed-method approach. Seven classes of secondary school students were involved. Focus group discussions were performed and a questionnaire was administered to the participants to assess their interest in and their usage of the tool.
The engagement of the target represented an opportunity for the project participants to actively contribute to the construction of shared knowledge and information on the topic. The platform evaluation provided useful advices for the improvement of the tool. Participants recognize the importance of an official source of information about risk but highlight the crucial role of social media in promoting formal initiatives and engaging target audiences.