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Adolescent cooking abilities and behaviors: associations with nutrition and emotional well-being
In this 2016 study, Dr. Utter et al. explored the relationship between cooking and several indicators of diet quality, mental well-being, and family relationships, using a sample of secondary school students in New Zealand. The 8500 student participants were asked about their cooking ability, how often they cook, and their nutritional behaviors, mental well-being, depressive symptoms, and family connections. Around 80% stated they could cook a meal using basic ingredients fairly/very easily. Higher cooking ability correlated with stronger family connections, as well as better outcomes of nutrition and mental health. For example, students with the greatest perceived cooking skills were roughly twice as likely to eat the recommended level of fruits and vegetables, compared with those with less cooking ability. In addition, lower levels of depressive symptoms and increased mental well-being were seen in those students with the greatest cooking skills. However, cooking ability was also positively associated with body mass index. Overall, learning to cook and using these skills may allow adolescents to develop life skills and make positive contributions for their families. [NPID: cooking, cooking skill, New Zealand, students, school children, depression, depressive symptoms, mental health, family, cooking ability, fruits and veg]
Year: 2016
