Education & upskilling

1.4.1 Education and upskilling

Nutrition

Navigating the world of nutrition and food education for children and adolescents can have a profound impact on their health as they age. Education and upskilling in nutrition and food for children and adolescents can be delivered in various settings, from schools to communities and homes.

School-Based Curricula: Many schools are integrating comprehensive food and nutrition education into their curriculum. Programs like the British Nutrition Foundation’s “Food – a fact of life” (BNF, 2024) provide age-appropriate resources, including interactive games, quizzes, and videos, to teach about healthy eating, cooking, and food origins. These programs often align with other subjects like science and design and technology, making the learning multi-faceted. Some curricula, like those developed by the University of California, Davis, use garden-based learning to teach students about where food comes from, thus increasing awareness of the broader food ecosystem (University of California Davis, 2024).

Peer-Led Interventions: Adolescents are heavily influenced by their peers, making peer-led interventions a promising strategy. These programs train older or same-age peers to act as mentors and educators on nutrition and physical activity. The approach has shown to be effective, with studies demonstrating improvements in dietary behaviors, such as increased fruit and vegetable intake and enhanced knowledge about healthy eating (Ekubagewargies et al., 2025). This method leverages the social dynamics of adolescence to promote positive change in a relatable way.

Family-Based Programs: Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in shaping a child’s eating habits. Family-based programs focus on teaching families how to adopt healthy eating patterns and lifestyle habits together. The CDC, for example, offers guidance for families on how to prevent childhood obesity by modeling healthy eating, increasing physical activity, and establishing simple routines for better sleep (CDC, 2025). This holistic approach recognizes that a child’s diet is part of a larger family environment.

Community and Digital Resources: Beyond formal education, a wealth of resources are available to the public. Community programs offer cooking classes and workshops, while websites and apps provide engaging content for young people. Resources like Nutrition.gov offer tips, recipes, and tools like the “MyPlate for Teens” guide, which helps adolescents build healthy eating habits (Nutrition.gov, 2024).

Impact on Healthspan and Lifespan: The knowledge and skills gained from early nutrition education have a profound impact on an individual’s long-term health.

Prevention of Chronic Disease: Inadequate nutrition during childhood is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases later in life, including cardiovascular disorders and metabolic syndrome (World Economic Forum, 2025). Nutrition education can prevent or delay the onset of these diseases in adulthood (Rodríguez-Mañas et al., 2023).

Cognitive Development and Mental Health: Proper nutrition is essential for brain development, especially during the rapid growth periods of infancy and adolescence (Rodríguez-Mañas et al., 2023). Deficiencies can lead to diminished cognitive performance throughout life. Furthermore, research is increasingly highlighting the link between adolescent diet and mental health, with specific dietary choices influencing the risk of depression and anxiety later in life.

Building a Foundation for Healthy Ageing: The habits formed in childhood and adolescence set the stage for how an individual will age. A strong foundation of good nutrition supports muscle development in youth and helps maintain muscle strength and function in later life (Rodríguez-Mañas et al., 2023). This helps prevent age-related decline and allows individuals to lead more active and productive lives well into their older years.

 

Sexual Education and Relationships

Navigating relationships and sexuality is a crucial component of a healthy, thriving life, and education in this area is paramount. A comprehensive approach to sexual education and relationships goes beyond the biological aspects to encompass emotional, social, and psychological dimensions. This kind of education can help individuals understand concepts like consent, communication, and boundaries, which are foundational for all human interactions.

Comprehensive sexual education should be delivered in a staged, age-appropriate manner from early childhood through young adulthood. This approach begins in elementary school by teaching foundational concepts like personal safety, body parts, and consent. In pre-adolescence (ages 9-12), the curriculum expands to cover the physical and emotional changes of puberty and the importance of healthy friendships. Finally, in adolescence (age 13 and older), the education becomes more explicit, addressing topics such as contraception, sexually transmitted infections, and the dynamics of healthy romantic relationships. By building on these topics progressively, this method ensures that students receive crucial information when it is most relevant to their developmental stage, empowering them to make informed and responsible decisions for a lifetime of good health.

School Curriculum: The delivery of this education can be multifaceted, adapting to different age groups and learning environments. In school settings, it should be integrated into a broader curriculum from an early age, starting with simple concepts like personal space and friendship and progressing to more complex topics. This education is most effective when it is age-appropriate and delivered by trained educators who create a safe and open environment for discussion (WHO, 2010).

Adolescents and young adults: Beyond the classroom, education can be delivered through community-based programs, peer-to-peer mentoring, and digital resources. These methods are particularly effective for upskilling older adolescents and young adults, providing a less formal setting to discuss topics like dating, intimacy, and the challenges of online communication. The use of interactive platforms, workshops, and case studies can make the content more engaging and relevant to real-life situations.

Health Impact: By equipping young people with accurate information about their bodies and sexual health, the rates of unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections can be greatly reduced (UNFPA, 2014). For example, the US teen birth rate dropped by 78% between 1991 and 2019, largely attributed to increased access to and use of effective contraception, which is a direct outcome of effective sex education (Osterman et al., 2024).

Moreover, a focus on relationships helps to prevent and address issues like domestic violence, sexual assault, and emotional abuse by teaching individuals how to identify and maintain healthy relationships, as well as how to recognize and escape toxic ones. This knowledge fosters emotional resilience and self-worth, contributing to better mental health outcomes.

This type of education has a significant, long-term impact on longer term health outcomes such as chronic health issues associated with high-risk behaviours. The emotional skills and resilience gained through this education also have a protective effect, reducing stress and its repercussions. Positive social connections are a key predictor of longevity, and an education that teaches individuals how to build and maintain these connections directly extends healthspan (Holt-Lunstad, 2015). In this way, upskilling in sexual education and relationships is not just about avoiding risks; it’s about actively building a foundation for a long, healthy, and fulfilling life.

 

Social Media Use

Global Trends: The rise in social media use amongst children and young adults is a global phenomenon. In many developing nations, social media is a crucial tool for accessing information and participating in global conversations, often bypassing traditional media outlets. However, this also makes young users particularly vulnerable to misinformation and propaganda. In contrast, developed countries face a different set of challenges, including issues related to cyberbullying, privacy, and the commercial exploitation of personal data.

This global variation means that education cannot be a one-size-fits-all solution; it must be tailored to address the specific cultural, social, and technological contexts of each region.

As these platforms become central to social interaction, personal identity, and information consumption, the need to equip young people with the skills to navigate them safely and responsibly has become urgent. Effective education must go beyond simply warning of dangers; it should foster digital literacy, critical thinking, and responsible online citizenship. This ensures that young users can harness the positive aspects of social media while mitigating the significant risks.

Education in this area should focus on equipping young people with the ability to critically evaluate online sources, understand privacy settings, and report harmful content.

The Impact on Health: The impact of social media on the health of young people has both negative and positive outcomes. Excessive and unguided use has been linked to negative mental health effects: high-frequency use of social media is associated with increased rates of anxiety, depression, and poor sleep quality, especially among adolescents (Primack et al., 2017). The pressure to present a perfect online persona and the constant exposure to curated, idealized lives can also lead to body image issues and a decline in self-esteem (Fardouly & Vartanian, 2015). On the other hand, social media can be a powerful tool for social connection, allowing young people to find and build communities, especially for those who feel isolated in their offline lives. It also provides a platform for self-expression, creativity, and the development of important skills like communication and collaboration.

Education and upskilling: Education and skill development are the most effective ways to promote a healthy relationship with social media, and are best achieved through a multi-pronged approach that begins at home and extends into the classroom. Parents should be educated on how to model healthy digital habits and engage in open conversations with their children about their online experiences. In schools, digital literacy should be integrated into the curriculum from an early age, teaching students about topics like online etiquette, digital footprint management, and the difference between credible and non-credible sources. This approach shifts the focus from simple restriction to responsible empowerment, giving young people the tools to make sound judgments on their own.

The Role of the Private Sector: While education is key, it cannot be the sole solution. Private sector companies, particularly the social media platforms themselves, must play a more active role in ensuring the safety of their young users. This can include implementing stricter regulation and parental controls that are easy to use and understand. Features like time limits, content filters, and detailed activity dashboards can help families manage social media use more effectively. There is also a growing movement to ban cell phones in schools, creating phone-free environments that reduce digital distractions and promote in-person social interaction.

Stakeholder Collaboration: Ultimately, the most successful approach to navigating the complexities of social media will involve collaboration between all stakeholders: educators, parents, and the tech industry. By combining comprehensive digital literacy education with thoughtful product design and regulatory measures, we can create an online environment that supports, rather than hinders, the health and well-being of the next generation. It is a shared responsibility to ensure that young people are not just passive consumers of social media, but active, informed, and resilient digital citizens.

 

Financial Literacy

Financial literacy is a core life skill that has a profound impact on an individual’s future wellbeing.

Education and Training: Education in this area should begin early, starting with foundational concepts like budgeting and saving, and progressing to more complex topics such as investing, credit, and managing debt. A lack of financial literacy is a significant source of stress and anxiety, which can lead to chronic health issues later in life (National Financial Educators Council, 2014). Conversely, individuals with strong financial skills are better equipped to handle economic shocks, maintain a sense of control over their lives, and afford essential healthcare, all of which contribute to a longer, healthier life.

Globally, there is a wide gap in financial education, with many countries lacking mandatory financial literacy programs. Private sector financial institutions can play a crucial role by offering free educational resources, developing user-friendly apps for budgeting, and sponsoring school-based workshops to teach these vital skills.

Various programs are working to improve financial literacy among young people. The Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy is a prominent example in the US, providing a national framework for financial education across different age groups. The OECD International Network on Financial Education works globally to develop policies and best practices for financial education.

Impact: A study by the Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center at The George Washington University found that teens who received financial education were more likely to save, invest, and avoid high-interest debt in adulthood. The financial impact is significant, with some estimates suggesting that financially literate individuals can accumulate up to 2.5 times more wealth over their lifetime than those without such skills (Lusardi et al., 2011). This increased wealth directly translates to greater economic security, access to better healthcare, and a reduction in stress.

 

Technology Training

In our digital-first world, effective technology training is non-negotiable for future success and well-being. This training should go beyond basic computer use to include digital citizenship, cybersecurity, and the ethical use of artificial intelligence.

Training: Effective education can help by teaching critical evaluation of online sources, secure password management, and an understanding of digital footprints. Numerous organizations are working to bridge the digital skills gap. The Code.org initiative, for example, aims to bring computer science education to every school, focusing on logical thinking and problem-solving. In the UK, the Barefoot Computing program provides free resources to teachers to help them deliver the computing curriculum. The impact of technology skills on health and careers is tangible.

Impact: While technology offers incredible opportunities for learning and connection, it also presents risks that can have serious negative mental health consequences for young people. Lack of digital literacy can lead to vulnerability to cybercrime, misinformation, and online exploitation, which can cause significant anxiety and psychological distress (Pew Research Center, 2018).

Individuals with strong digital skills earn significantly more and are better positioned to navigate an evolving job market. This enhanced career stability and income directly correlate with a higher quality of life and improved health outcomes. Furthermore, digital literacy empowers individuals to access reliable health information online, connect with support networks, and utilize telehealth services (World Health Organization, 2019).

 

Career Planning

Career planning is a continuous process of self-discovery and upskilling, and a sense of purpose and career stability is strongly linked to mental and physical health in adulthood.

Education and Training: Education in this area should begin in secondary school, helping students identify their interests and strengths, and understand the evolving job market. This includes training on resume writing, interviewing skills, and networking.

Many organizations provide effective career guidance. The Junior Achievement program partners with businesses to deliver courses on career readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy to students worldwide. In the UK, the National Careers Service offers free, professional career advice and training.

Private sector companies can assist by offering mentorship programs, internships, and apprenticeships to give young people practical experience. They can also collaborate with schools to develop curricula that align with industry needs and provide insights into future job trends.

Impact: The impact of effective career planning on health and longevity is significant. Career dissatisfaction and unemployment are major sources of chronic stress, which can manifest as depression, anxiety, and a host of physical ailments (Office for National Statistics, 2021). Conversely, a fulfilling career contributes to a sense of purpose, financial stability, and positive social connections, all of which are key predictors of a long and healthy life.

A Harvard School of Public Health study found that individuals who are engaged in meaningful work tend to live longer and report higher levels of well-being. Another study showed that job satisfaction alone can reduce the risk of mortality by up to 20% (Skaalvik & Skaalvik, 2018).