Nourished@Deakin – can an online cooking program inspire university students to cook and eat healthier?

Abstract

University students are a unique population subgroup, who experience a life transition into adulthood, often marked by the establishment of unhealthy eating behaviours(1) which are associated with chronic disease risk factors, poor mental health and lower academic achievement(2). Data regarding the food skills/behaviours of university students is limited, but low cooking self- efficacy and food skills are potential barriers to healthy meal preparation(1). Nourished@Deakin is an online cooking program, co-designed by Deakin University students, that aims to inspire students to cook and eat healthier. It commenced in November 2021 and includes a series of blogs, recipes, and cooking videos, available to all Deakin students via a Deakin University blog site. To determine if accessing Nourished@Deakin improves food skill confidence, food intake, and nutrition knowledge, participants completed a short online survey before accessing Nourished@Deakin materials and then again four weeks after their first engagement. The survey included 31 questions regarding confidence related to a variety of food skills (eg. recipe following, reading food labels, meal planning); 2 questions regarding fruit/vegetable intake; 11 knowledge questions regarding the Australian Dietary Guidelines (ADGs); and 16 demographic questions. Pre/post surveys were compared using paired t tests (knowledge scores, fruit/veg serves) or McNemar extact test (proportions). A total of 108 students completed the pre-survey and 41 (mean (SD) age 27.0 (8.4) years; 63% female) also completed the post-survey. Of the 41 participants who completed both surveys, 42% were studying within the Faculty of Health and 16 (39%) were living in the family home with parents. Most (68%) were studying full time and 59% were employed part-time/casually. Three-quarters were domestic students, and 59% were undergraduate students. Following completion of Nourished@Deakin, there was a significant increase in the proportion of participants feeling confident in two of the 31 food skills (namely ‘meal planning’: 44% pre vs 63% post, P<0.05; and ‘growing fruit and/or vegetables at home’: 22% pre vs 44% post, P<0.05). Fruit intake increased from 1.6 serves/day pre-program to 1.9 serves/day post-program (P<0.05), but vegetable intake remained stable (2.5 serves/day pre and 2.6 serves/day post, P = 0.287). Before participating in Nourished@Deakin, 56% of participants correctly reported the recommended daily serves of fruit and 66% correctly reported it for vegetables. The mean ADG knowledge score was 8.2/9 and 49% of participants got all nine questions correct. There were no significant changes in any of the knowledge markers post-program. Over a relatively short period, Nourished@Deakin produced modest improvements in the self-reported confidence in some food skills and self-reported fruit intake. A revised program (incorporating a greater variety of recipes, additional blogs, and new videos) may encourage greater engagement and result in increased confidence and knowledge in other targeted areas.