Navigation
How a 7-week food literacy cooking program affects cooking confidence and mental health: findings of a quasi-experimental controlled intervention trial
This research investigates the relationship between community-based cooking interventions, cooking confidence, and mental health outcomes among healthy Australian adults. With rising obesity and mental health disorders correlated with a decline in home cooking and an increase in consumption of energy-dense convenience foods, the study highlights the importance of food literacy in influencing dietary choices. A sample of 657 participants participated in a 7-week cooking program designed to address barriers to healthy eating and enhance food literacy. The findings demonstrated significant improvements in the intervention group regarding cooking confidence, satisfaction, and the ability to modify eating habits (p < 0.001) and overcome lifestyle challenges (p = 0.005). Furthermore, participation in the program was associated with enhanced mental and general health. However, the study reported no significant changes in food acquisition, consumption patterns, or nutrition knowledge in either the intervention or the control group. The results suggest that while cooking programs can foster cooking confidence and improve mental health, additional strategies are necessary to effectively alter dietary behaviors, particularly among individuals with lower nutrition knowledge and cooking interest. [NPID: Community, interventions, cooking, convenience foods, program]
Year: 2022
