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| Cooking classes 'a boost to healthy diet' | Cooking classes 'a boost to healthy diet' |
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| Short cooking classes can have a long-term impact on healthy eating, a study suggests. | Short cooking classes can have a long-term impact on healthy eating, a study suggests. |
| Questioning of parents who took part in government-funded courses in Scotland showed they ate more fruit and vegetables and fewer ready meals a year later. | Questioning of parents who took part in government-funded courses in Scotland showed they ate more fruit and vegetables and fewer ready meals a year later. |
| Participants were also more confident about following a simple recipe. | Participants were also more confident about following a simple recipe. |
| The University of Glasgow researchers said refresher courses would boost the effects further. | The University of Glasgow researchers said refresher courses would boost the effects further. |
| There are numerous locally-funded programmes to improve cooking and nutrition skills around the UK but, until now, there has been little data on any long-term effects. | There are numerous locally-funded programmes to improve cooking and nutrition skills around the UK but, until now, there has been little data on any long-term effects. |
| The study looked at courses lasting between four and eight weeks for parents of pre-school children. | The study looked at courses lasting between four and eight weeks for parents of pre-school children. |
| Classes included information on budgeting, nutrition and cooking simple meals. | Classes included information on budgeting, nutrition and cooking simple meals. |
| Questionnaires filled in immediately after the courses showed an immediate boost in participants' confidence in cooking, preparing and trying new foods, researchers reported in the journal Public Health Nutrition. | Questionnaires filled in immediately after the courses showed an immediate boost in participants' confidence in cooking, preparing and trying new foods, researchers reported in the journal Public Health Nutrition. |
| But the researchers were more interested in whether these effects remained months down the line. | But the researchers were more interested in whether these effects remained months down the line. |
| Cooking confidence | Cooking confidence |
| A year later, 44 of 100 cookery class attendees agreed to be interviewed again and researchers found there was still a significant increase in their confidence in following simple recipes and using basic ingredients. | A year later, 44 of 100 cookery class attendees agreed to be interviewed again and researchers found there was still a significant increase in their confidence in following simple recipes and using basic ingredients. |
| They also found that participants were eating fewer ready meals than before the courses, and were eating portions of fruit and vegetables daily compared with just a few times a week before. | They also found that participants were eating fewer ready meals than before the courses, and were eating portions of fruit and vegetables daily compared with just a few times a week before. |
| Some of the "confidence scores" in cooking and trying new foods had slipped after a year and the researchers said refresher courses would be useful. | Some of the "confidence scores" in cooking and trying new foods had slipped after a year and the researchers said refresher courses would be useful. |
| Study leader Dr Ada Garcia said that, although the study numbers were small due to difficulties in re-contacting people after a year, the results showed that such programmes had a measurable effect on people's diets. | Study leader Dr Ada Garcia said that, although the study numbers were small due to difficulties in re-contacting people after a year, the results showed that such programmes had a measurable effect on people's diets. |
| "It is very encouraging that we have these positive results," she said. | "It is very encouraging that we have these positive results," she said. |
| "This suggests that the intervention has benefited participants' eating habits and health not only in the short-term, but also in the long-term," she added. | "This suggests that the intervention has benefited participants' eating habits and health not only in the short-term, but also in the long-term," she added. |
| Prof Alan Maryon-Davis, former president of the Faculty of Public Health, said more research, including a controlled trial, should be the next step. | Prof Alan Maryon-Davis, former president of the Faculty of Public Health, said more research, including a controlled trial, should be the next step. |
| "Budgets are being cut and local authorities are not going to fund stuff unless its been shown to be effective. But this is pretty encouraging." | "Budgets are being cut and local authorities are not going to fund stuff unless its been shown to be effective. But this is pretty encouraging." |
| He added: "It is particularly important to get these changes happening in young families." | He added: "It is particularly important to get these changes happening in young families." |
| Have you taken cooking classes? Do you think they have changed your eating habits? Please contact us using the form below. |