Facilitators and barriers to healthy snacking in corner stores from the perspective of adolescents in a youth advocacy program

In urban areas, adolescents frequently consume energy-dense, nutrient-poor snacks from corner stores, despite efforts to promote healthier options. Gaining adolescents’ perspectives on facilitators and barriers to healthy snacking, particularly those adolescents trained to understand social and political influences, can generate unique solutions. This study evaluates facilitators and barriers to healthy snacking from the perspective of adolecsents (n = 36) who participated in a youth advocacy program. Using photovoice and focus groups, participants identified facilitators and barriers at individual, corner store (organizational), community, and societal levels, including capitalism and policy influences. Their insights offer innovative solutions to improve future corner store initiatives targeting adolescent snacking behaviors.