Assessment of the culinary skills of freshmen at a public university
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12957/demetra.2025.83833Keywords:
Life skills. Students. Cooking. Universities.Abstract
Introduction: Entering university represents a critical transition period for young adults. In In the context of food and nutrition, this phase is often characterized by increased consumption of ultra-processed foods and a reduced intake of fresh foods. Consequently, a lack of culinary skills is recognized as a significant predictor for this consumption pattern among university students. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the culinary skills of freshmen at a public university in Rio de Janeiro. Method: This is an original cross-sectional descriptive study with a quantitative approach and involves freshmen of a public university who voluntarily completed the Brazilian Questionnaire on Culinary Skills and Healthy Eating (BCSQ). Statistical analysis was conducted using multilevel linear regressions, and response variations were analyzed according to the dimensions of the BCSQ, categorized by age group, self-perceived cooking ability, and living arrangements (i.e., living with their parents versus living without children). Results: 205 students participated in the study, with high culinaryskills, but most (59%) had low knowledge of culinary terms and techniques. Students who live with their parents exhibited greater culinary self-efficacy, self-efficacy in the consumption of fruits and vegetables, and culinary ability when compared to those who live without their parents. In addition, older students presented a higher culinary attitude. Conclusion: The students had positive results in relation to culinary skills, but low knowledge of culinary terms and techniques, which may hinder the preparation of food. Living with parents and older ages were positively associated with scales involving culinary skills.v
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Copyright (c) 2025 Giuliana Caruso Tangerino, Ricardo Teixeira Quinaud, Daniela Silva Canella, Maria Eduarda Ribeiro, Patrícia Maria Périco Perez, Ana Cláudia Mazzonetto
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