Factors That Predict Food Skills in Canadian Gym Members: A National Cross-Sectional Survey

Overview

Journal Nutrients

Date 2023 Oct 14

PMID 37836401

Authors

Courtney Barlott

Candace Cunningham

Kristina Miller

Paula D N Dworatzek

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

This study determined predictors of food skills in Canadian gym members. A random sample of gym members were invited to complete a validated Food Skills Questionnaire with supplementary questions. All questions/variables significantly associated ( < 0.05) and fair-to-moderately correlated (r ≥ 0.40) with Total Food Skills (TFSs) were analyzed by multiple regression. The respondents' ( = 576) mean ± SD age was 41.3 ± 14.8 years, with 67.3% females and 13.2% students. The mean TFSs score was 77.1 ± 11.9 (maximum 100). Females reported higher TFSs than males; however, this did not remain significant when nutrition-related beliefs were considered. Increasing age, taking a nutrition/cooking course, teen meal preparation, primary cook, time preparing weekend meals, believing that preparing healthy food is important, and self-reported nutritional quality of diet and nutrition knowledge were positively associated with TFSs ( < 0.05). Purchasing food/beverages from convenience stores, buying pre-prepared dinners, and being a student were negatively associated with TFSs ( < 0.05). The strongest predictors of TFSs were self-reported nutrition knowledge and nutritional quality of diet. The adjusted R increased by 0.30 when food-related experiences/behaviours and nutrition-related beliefs were included in the final model, which accounted for 50% of the variance in TFSs. Food experiences/behaviours and nutrition beliefs, which are associated with food skills, are potential intermediary targets for programs and/or research to improve food skills.

References

Slater J, Mudryj A . Self-Perceived Eating Habits and Food Skills of Canadians. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2016; 48(7):486-495.e1. DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2016.04.397. View

Schaafsma H, Laasanen H, Twynstra J, Seabrook J . A Review of Statistical Reporting in Dietetics Research (2010-2019): How is a Canadian Journal Doing?. Can J Diet Pract Res. 2021; 82(2):59-67. DOI: 10.3148/cjdpr-2021-005. View

Van der Horst K, Brunner T, Siegrist M . Ready-meal consumption: associations with weight status and cooking skills. Public Health Nutr. 2010; 14(2):239-45. DOI: 10.1017/S1368980010002624. View

Mills S, White M, Brown H, Wrieden W, Kwasnicka D, Halligan J . Health and social determinants and outcomes of home cooking: A systematic review of observational studies. Appetite. 2016; 111:116-134. DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2016.12.022. View

Murakami K, Shinozaki N, Yuan X, Tajima R, Matsumoto M, Masayasu S . Food Choice Values and Food Literacy in a Nationwide Sample of Japanese Adults: Associations with Sex, Age, and Body Mass Index. Nutrients. 2022; 14(9). PMC: 9102665. DOI: 10.3390/nu14091899. View

Simonds K, Zhang L, Matthews J . "": Young Males Reveal Embarrassment over Lack of Food Skills. Can J Diet Pract Res. 2020; 82(2):51-58. DOI: 10.3148/cjdpr-2020-033. View

Virudachalam S, Long J, Harhay M, Polsky D, Feudtner C . Prevalence and patterns of cooking dinner at home in the USA: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2008. Public Health Nutr. 2013; 17(5):1022-30. PMC: 10282260. DOI: 10.1017/S1368980013002589. View

Engler-Stringer R . Food, cooking skills, and health: a literature review. Can J Diet Pract Res. 2010; 71(3):141-5. DOI: 10.3148/71.3.2010.141. View

Kennedy L, Kichler E, Seabrook J, Matthews J, Dworatzek P . Validity and Reliability of a Food Skills Questionnaire. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2019; 51(7):857-864. DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2019.02.003. View

10.

Fernandez M, Marquis M, Desroches S, Turcotte M, Provencher V . Full-Time Employment, Diet Quality, and Food Skills of Canadian Parents. Can J Diet Pract Res. 2019; 80(2):63-71. DOI: 10.3148/cjdpr-2018-041. View

11.

Winkler E, Turrell G . Confidence to cook vegetables and the buying habits of Australian households. J Am Diet Assoc. 2009; 109(10):1759-68. DOI: 10.1016/j.jada.2009.07.006. View

12.

Seabrook J, Dworatzek P, Matthews J . Predictors of Food Skills in University Students. Can J Diet Pract Res. 2019; 80(4):205-208. DOI: 10.3148/cjdpr-2019-011. View

13.

Garriguet D . Canadians' eating habits. Health Rep. 2007; 18(2):17-32. View

14.

Garriguet D . Diet quality in Canada. Health Rep. 2009; 20(3):41-52. View

15.

Amouzandeh C, Fingland D, Vidgen H . A Scoping Review of the Validity, Reliability and Conceptual Alignment of Food Literacy Measures for Adults. Nutrients. 2019; 11(4). PMC: 6520792. DOI: 10.3390/nu11040801. View

16.

Thomas H, Azevedo Perry E, Slack J, Samra H, Manowiec E, Petermann L . Complexities in Conceptualizing and Measuring Food Literacy. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2019; 119(4):563-573. DOI: 10.1016/j.jand.2018.10.015. View

17.

Roos E, Lahelma E, Virtanen M, Prattala R, Pietinen P . Gender, socioeconomic status and family status as determinants of food behaviour. Soc Sci Med. 1998; 46(12):1519-29. DOI: 10.1016/s0277-9536(98)00032-x. View

18.

Polsky J, Garriguet D . Eating away from home in Canada: impact on dietary intake. Health Rep. 2021; 32(8):18-26. DOI: 10.25318/82-003-x202100800003-eng. View

19.

Larson N, Perry C, Story M, Neumark-Sztainer D . Food preparation by young adults is associated with better diet quality. J Am Diet Assoc. 2006; 106(12):2001-7. DOI: 10.1016/j.jada.2006.09.008. View

20.

Bertrand J, Crerar A, Simpson J . A Canadian University "Understanding Foods" Course Improves Confidence in Food Skills and Food Safety Knowledge. Can J Diet Pract Res. 2018; 79(4):170-175. DOI: 10.3148/cjdpr-2018-012. View