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Association between home food preparation skills and behaviour, and consumption of ultra-processed foods: cross-sectional analysis of the UK national diet and nutrition survey (2008-2009)
This 2017 study examined the potential link between home food preparation skills with individual behavior and consumption of ultra-processed foods. Lam & Adams proposes that the increased reliance on ultra-processed foods in several developed countries may be due to poor or infrequent use of home food preparation skills. In the UK National Diet & Nutrition Survey of 2008-09, adult respondents were asked about their confidence on a variety of cooking-related factors, including using cooking techniques, cooking 10 different foods, and preparing a cake or biscuits without assistance. Lastly, everyone was asked whether they prepared a main meal five or more times in a week. The data showed that there was less dependence on ultra-processed foods in adults who were confident in cooking all 10 foods, those able to make a cake or biscuits alone, and those who cooked a main meal at least five times a week. Since the results indicate that UK adults with higher home food preparation skills and who utilize these skills more often are more likely to consume less ultra-processed foods, the development of these skills should be encouraged in this population. [NPID: processed foods, UK, food prep, food preparation, skills, cooking skills, cooking, confidence, healthy eating, unhealthy foods]
Year: 2017
