Cooking Frequency Predicts Fruit and Vegetable Intake Among College Students

Abstract

Cooking attitudes and behaviors among college students—and related implications to dietary quality—are largely unexplored. This study assessed the relationship between college students' fruit and vegetable intakes and cooking attitudes, confidence, and frequency (N = 448) using a cross-sectional survey. Hierarchical linear regression models examined associations between cooking attitudes, confidence, and frequency of fruit and vegetable intake. Fruit and vegetable intake was positively correlated with cooking attitudes, confidence, and frequency. Regression analysis indicated cooking frequency is a significant predictor of fruit and vegetable consumption when controlling for sex, kitchen access, and cooking attitudes and confidence. Future studies are needed to investigate the impact of cooking interventions on diet quality.