title: Food-related behavior and intake of adult main meal preparers of 9-10 year-old children participating in iCook 4-H: A five-state childhood obesity prevention pilot study.
abstract: It is important to understand adult outcomes in childhood obesity prevention programs as parents and caregivers have a significant influence on the eating and physical activity habits of youth. Grounded in the social cognitive theory, the iCook 4-H study was centered on a dyad model (9-10 year-olds and their primary meal preparers) to teach healthy cooking skills, shopping and meal habits, and being active as a family. The program took place in five states and dyads (n = 54) were recruited through flyers, e-mails, and in-person contact. The focus of this article is to provide findings from adult program participants. Demographics and self-reported food intake, procurement, preparation and safety practices, feeding relationships, mealtime routines, and height and weight were collected through surveys at baseline and program completion, which spanned 3 months. Descriptive statistics including two-related samples tests and paired samples t tests were used to assess pre- and post-program survey data responses at p < 0.05 significance level. Most had a bachelor's degree (31%) or some college (29%), about half were white, 66% were married, about 30% of households participated in assistance programs, and 82% were female. At program conclusion, participants significantly improved meal planning, prioritizing healthy meal choices, shopping with a grocery list, and reading Nutrition Facts Labels. There were also significant, positive differences noted in cooking skill confidence (p = 0.015), desire to cook more meals at home, and fewer fast food meals. Adult-youth feeding interactions also significantly improved. There were also significant increases in fruit juice (100%), vegetable soup, and whole grain consumption. Based on results, adults reported improvements in meal planning, cooking, and purchasing skills that were taught in classes.
authors.affiliation: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nutrition and Health Sciences Department, 110 Ruth Leverton Hall, Lincoln, NE 68583-0806, USA. Electronic address: ashmiller316@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.affiliation: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nutrition and Health Sciences Department, 110 Ruth Leverton Hall, Lincoln, NE 68583-0806, USA. Electronic address: lfranzen2@unl.edu.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Franzen-Castle
authors.affiliation: University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), College of Nursing - Western Nebraska Division, UNMC College of Nursing/Harms Center, 1601 E. 27th St. Scottsbluff, NE 69361, USA. Electronic address: taguirre@unmc.edu.
authors.forename: Trina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Aguirre
authors.affiliation: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 4-H Youth Development, 114 Agriculture Hall, Lincoln, NE 68583-0700, USA. Electronic address: mkrehbiel2@unl.edu.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krehbiel
authors.affiliation: University of Tennessee, Department of Nutrition, 1215 W. Cumberland Avenue, 229 Jessie Harris Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-1920, USA. Electronic address: scolby1@utk.edu.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Colby
authors.affiliation: South Dakota State University, Department of Health and Nutritional Sciences, Box 2203, SWG 443, Brookings, SD 57007, USA. Electronic address: Kendra.kattelmann@sdstate.edu.
authors.forename: Kendra
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kattelmann
authors.affiliation: West Virginia University, Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources & Design, Division of Animal and Nutritional Sciences, G016 Agricultural Science Building, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA. Electronic address: Melissa.Olfert@mail.wvu.edu.
authors.forename: Melissa D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Olfert
authors.affiliation: University of Maine, School of Food and Agriculture, 5735 Hitchner Hall, Orono, ME 04469, USA. Electronic address: douglas.mathews@maine.edu.
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mathews
authors.affiliation: University of Maine, School of Food and Agriculture, 5735 Hitchner Hall, Orono, ME 04469, USA. Electronic address: awhite@maine.edu.
authors.forename: Adrienne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003296:Cooking; D004032:Diet; D000072001:Diet, Healthy; D004435:Eating; D004522:Educational Status; D015444:Exercise; D057140:Fast Foods; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences; D005638:Fruit; D000067030:Fruit and Vegetable Juices; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D062407:Meals; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014675:Vegetables; D000067348:Whole Grains
keywords: Adults; Cooking skills; Meal planning; Obesity prevention