School of Health Sciences

Gender concepts and nutrition in childhood (GeNI)

Gender concepts and nutrition in childhood (GeNI) is the first Swiss research project on gender-specific and intersectional dimensions of nutrition in children and adolescents aged 6 to 17. It contributes to optimised gender-sensitive health promotion, prevention, education, communication and healthcare.

An illustration of four people gathered around a meal.

Background

In Switzerland, despite a significant reduction, the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents (C+A) is still high. And a high number of otherwise healthy children and adolescents are affected by sub-threshold unhealthy dietary behaviors and the long-term consequences on health and health systems; as dietary behavior established in children and adolescents can be carried on into adulthood and increase risks of non-communicable diseases later in life. Nutrition greatly influences the burden of diseases and all-cause mortality. While gendered dietary patterns have been described for adults, little research has been conducted on gendered «nutrition» in children and adolescents.

GeNI is the first Swiss research project on gendered and intersectional dimensions of nutrition in children and adolescents (C+A) aged 6-17 years. With this project, we contribute to optimized sex- and gender-sensitive health promotion, prevention, education, communication and health care.

Objectives

Our main objective is to describe gender-specific dietary patterns and improve understanding of gender-specific concepts of nutrition.

Method and procedure

Gender concepts and Nutrition In childhood (GeNI) follows a convergent mixed-methods design, which is characterised by two separate quantitative and qualitative data sets and their integration in a subsequent step.

In the first part (work package WP1, quantitative), existing data from the menuCH Kids study will be used to examine gender-specific differences in an intersectional manner.

In the second part (work package WP2, qualitative), focus group discussions are held with children and adolescents and their parents or caregivers to explore the gender- e dimensions of nutrition in children and adolescents.

The results from work package WP1 and work package WP2 will then be combined (work package WP3) and interpreted in order to develop specific intersectional practice and policy recommendations. This will be done in collaboration with the implementation partners in order to achieve a better understanding, develop practical recommendations and create communication tools.

Registration for study participation

Updates/News

from April 28, 2026

It has now been one year since the official start of the GeNI project, and the project is underway. The first year was primarily dedicated to planning and preparation, laying the foundation for the research activities ahead. During this phase, the team was expanded, and a PhD student joined the project. The National Research Programme 83 (NRP 83), which this project is a part of, had a two-day kick-off event with enriching exchanges between all 19 projects. And the project was presented at several workshops and talks.  

While this initial stage may be less visible from the outside, it is essential for ensuring robust and meaningful results. Considerable effort has gone into the implementation of the study design and ethical approval.

Currently, the project is progressing along two main strands:

  1. Secondary analysis of menuCH Kids data:
    After receiving the ethical approval we started the secondary analysis of the menuCH-Kids dataset through a gender-sensitive and intersectional lens. The aim is to identify groups of children and adolescents who share similar dietary patterns and to explore the social and intersecting factors associated with these patterns. In recent months, we have received ethical approval for this first work package. First models show promising patterns.
  2. Qualitative data collection on gender and dietary behavior:
    The second strand focuses on collecting new qualitative data on gender-related concepts of dietary behavior. We plan to conduct focus group discussions with children and adolescents of diverse age and gender groups, and their parents across three language regions of Switzerland this September. The ethics application for this part of the study has been submitted and is currently under review.

What’s next? 

We are currently working on an intermediate report for the SNSF and are planning the yearly meeting with the whole consortium as well as our advisory board. So time to introduce our advisory board members: Prof. Dr. Andreas Pfister (ZHAW, Institute of Public Health), Dr. Claire Sommerville (Graduate Institute Geneva, Gender Center), Dr. med. Marc Siedler ("KIS Pediatricians Switzerland - Professional association of pediatricians and adolescent physicians), Bettina Husemann (Health Promotion Switzerland), Dr. Aline Siegfried-Troxler (FSVO Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office), Adrian Rufener (SVDE Schweizerischen Verband der Ernährungsberater/innen), Sina Candrian (Schtifti-Foundation/Gorilla-Projekt),and Theres Bauer (Pädagogische Hochschule Zürich)

Project organisation

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Project duration