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Updated: Feb 22, 2026

Assessment of Social Transmission of Food Preferences Behaviors
Published on: January 25, 2018
Peer-Led Culinary Skills Intervention for Adolescents: Pilot Study of the Impact on Knowledge, Attitude, and
Amanda R Oakley1, Sarah A Nelson1, Sharon M Nickols-Richardson1
1Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL.
Objective:
To assess the impact and feasibility of a culinary skills intervention for adolescents led by peer educators compared with adult educators.
Methods:
Adolescents (aged 11-14 years) were randomized to peer educator (n = 22) or adult educator (n = 20) groups and attended 2 2.5-hour culinary skills lessons addressing knife skills, cooking methods, and recipes. Knowledge, attitude, and self-efficacy measurements were completed before and immediately after the intervention and at 3 and 6 months after the intervention. Fidelity checklists assessed the feasibility of program delivery. Differences within and between groups over time were assessed using ANOVA.
Results:
Adolescents (n = 42) increased knowledge (3.7 ± 2.6 points [mean ± SD]; P < .001), attitude (0.8 ± 4.5; P < .05), and self-efficacy of cooking (2.6 ± 5.3; P < .001) and cooking method (1.7 ± 4.6; P < .01) after intervention. Peer and adult educators were equally able to deliver the intervention.
Conclusions And Implications:
Peers and adults can feasibly lead a culinary skills program for adolescents that increases knowledge. To affect attitude and self-efficacy, additional training of peer educators may be needed.
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