Jennifer Utter1, Simon Denny2, Mathijs Lucassen3, Ben Dyson4. 1. School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. Electronic address: j.utter@auckland.ac.nz. 2. Department of Paediatrics, Child and Youth Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. 3. Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. 4. Faculty of Education, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between cooking and selected indicators of diet quality, mental well-being, and family relationships. DESIGN: Data were collected as part of Youth'12, a nationally representative health and well-being survey. SETTING: Secondary schools in New Zealand. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 8,500 students. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cooking ability and frequency of cooking, nutritional behaviors, mental well-being, depressive symptoms, and family connections. ANALYSIS: Multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between cooking ability/frequency and indicators of health and well-being, controlling for the sociodemographic characteristics of students. RESULTS: Approximately 80% of students reported that they can cook a meal from basic ingredients either fairly or very easily. Reported cooking ability was positively associated with better nutritional indicators, better mental health indicators, and stronger family connections (P = .01). For example, adolescents reporting the greatest cooking abilities were approximately twice as likely to meet the recommendations for fruits and vegetables (odds ratio, 2.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.6-2.8). Likewise, adolescents reporting the greatest cooking abilities also reported lower levels of depressive symptoms (P < .01) and greater mental well-being (P < .01) than those with less cooking ability. However, greater cooking ability was also associated with higher body mass index (P < .01). Overall, similar statistically significant relationships were observed with frequency of cooking, although not for young people who cook most days. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Learning to cook and having the opportunity to cook may provide a unique means for adolescents to develop life skills and contribute positively to their families. Future research examining the relationships between cooking and health may include measures beyond nutrition, such as social relationships and emotional well-being.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between cooking and selected indicators of diet quality, mental well-being, and family relationships. DESIGN: Data were collected as part of Youth'12, a nationally representative health and well-being survey. SETTING: Secondary schools in New Zealand. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 8,500 students. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cooking ability and frequency of cooking, nutritional behaviors, mental well-being, depressive symptoms, and family connections. ANALYSIS: Multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between cooking ability/frequency and indicators of health and well-being, controlling for the sociodemographic characteristics of students. RESULTS: Approximately 80% of students reported that they can cook a meal from basic ingredients either fairly or very easily. Reported cooking ability was positively associated with better nutritional indicators, better mental health indicators, and stronger family connections (P = .01). For example, adolescents reporting the greatest cooking abilities were approximately twice as likely to meet the recommendations for fruits and vegetables (odds ratio, 2.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.6-2.8). Likewise, adolescents reporting the greatest cooking abilities also reported lower levels of depressive symptoms (P < .01) and greater mental well-being (P < .01) than those with less cooking ability. However, greater cooking ability was also associated with higher body mass index (P < .01). Overall, similar statistically significant relationships were observed with frequency of cooking, although not for young people who cook most days. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Learning to cook and having the opportunity to cook may provide a unique means for adolescents to develop life skills and contribute positively to their families. Future research examining the relationships between cooking and health may include measures beyond nutrition, such as social relationships and emotional well-being.
Authors: Rani Polak; Amir Tirosh; Barbara Livingston; David Pober; James E Eubanks; Julie K Silver; Kaya Minezaki; Roni Loten; Edward M Phillips Journal: Curr Diab Rep Date: 2018-09-14 Impact factor: 4.810
Authors: Jennifer Utter; Nicole Larson; Jerica M Berge; Marla E Eisenberg; Jayne A Fulkerson; Dianne Neumark-Sztainer Journal: Prev Med Date: 2018-05-07 Impact factor: 4.018