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Evaluation of a cooking skills programme in parents of young children – a longitudinal study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 November 2013

Ada L Garcia*
Affiliation:
Department of Human Nutrition, School of Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Yorkhill Hospitals, Glasgow G3 8SJ, UK
Elisa Vargas
Affiliation:
Department of Human Nutrition, School of Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Yorkhill Hospitals, Glasgow G3 8SJ, UK
Po S Lam
Affiliation:
Department of Human Nutrition, School of Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Yorkhill Hospitals, Glasgow G3 8SJ, UK
David B Shennan
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health, NHS Ayrshire & Arran, Ailsa Hospital Ayr KA6 6AB
Fiona Smith
Affiliation:
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, NHS Ayrshire & Arran, Kirklandside Hospital, Kilmarnock, UK
Alison Parrett
Affiliation:
Department of Human Nutrition, School of Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Yorkhill Hospitals, Glasgow G3 8SJ, UK
*
*Corresponding author: Email Ada.Garcia@glasgow.ac.uk
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Abstract

Objective

To evaluate longitudinally the effectiveness of a cooking programme on self-reported confidence about cooking skills and food consumption patterns in parents of young children.

Design

An evaluation of cooking programmes delivered by National Health Service (NHS) community food workers using a single group pre-test/post-test repeated measures design. A shortened version of a validated questionnaire at baseline, post intervention and 1-year follow-up determined confidence in cooking using basic ingredients, following a simple recipe, tasting new foods, preparing and cooking new foods on consumption of ready meals, vegetables and fruit.

Setting

Deprived communities in Ayrshire and Arran, Scotland.

Subjects

Parents of nursery age children, 97 % were female and <45 years old.

Results

One hundred and two participants had completed baseline and post-intervention questionnaires. Forty-four participants contacted by telephone completed a follow-up questionnaire. In participants who completed all questionnaires (n 44), median confidence in four aspects of cooking increased significantly from baseline to post intervention (P < 0·001) but was retained at 1-year follow-up only for following a simple recipe and preparing and cooking new foods. Improved food consumption patterns were reported from baseline to post intervention (ready-meal consumption reduced from 2-4 times/week to 1 time/week, P < 0·001; vegetable consumption increased from 5–6 times/week to 1 time/d, P < 0·001; fruit consumption increased from 5–6 times/week to 1 time/d, P < 0·001) and remained at 1-year follow-up.

Conclusions

The cooking programmes appeared to improve cooking confidence and food consumption patterns in the target group and some of these changes were retained after 1 year.

Information

Type
HOT TOPIC – Parenting and cooking
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2013 
Figure 0

Fig. 1 Programme participation and questionnaire completion rates

Figure 1

Table 1 Characteristics of participants: parents of nursery age children from deprived communities in Ayrshire and Arran, Scotland, who attended a cooking skills intervention in September 2010–January 2011

Figure 2

Table 2 Median values for confidence ratings and patterns of ready-meal, vegetable and fruit consumption at baseline, post intervention and 1-year follow-up in completers (n 44): parents of nursery age children from deprived communities in Ayrshire and Arran, Scotland, who attended a cooking skills intervention in September 2010–January 2011