Article
Integration of Theatre Activities in Cooking Workshops Improves Healthy Eating Attitudes Among Ethnically Diverse Adolescents: A Pilot Study
Childhood Obesity and Nutrition
(2014)
Abstract
The purpose of this pilot study was to integrate theatre elements into interactive cooking workshops and assess if these experiences prompted attitude and awareness changes with adolescents about healthy eating. Over a 3-week period, 6 interactive cooking workshops were conducted by an artist-in-residence with a group of 21 low-income, predominantly Hispanic, high school sophomores. Social cognitive theory was used as a guide for lessons and outcomes assessment. Students prepared, discussed, and shared food, stories, and experiences about culture, health, and meals. Qualitative focus groups were conducted 4 weeks after the workshop series ended. The theatre-based cooking workshops elicited positive comments in attitudes about healthy eating, nutrition education, and enhanced cooking awareness among ethnically diverse youth. Results from preworkshop and postworkshop self-administered questionnaires showed positive shifts in healthy eating behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes. Qualitative statements supported lifestyle change, specifically by teens stating that they were eating more vegetables, trying new foods, and cooking together. Cooking education using interactive theatre engagement can positively affect high school students’ attitudes toward healthful foods, eating, and culture.
Keywords
- adolescents,
- Hispanics,
- high school,
- theatre,
- cooking,
- school nutrition,
- nutrition education
Disciplines
Publication Date
April 1, 2014
DOI
10.1177/1941406413520323
Publisher Statement
Copyright © 2014 The Author(s)
Citation Information
Donna M. Winham, Seline S. Quiroga, Tamara L. Underiner, Stephani E. Woodson, et al.. "Integration of Theatre Activities in Cooking Workshops Improves Healthy Eating Attitudes Among Ethnically Diverse Adolescents: A Pilot Study" Childhood Obesity and Nutrition Vol. 6 Iss. 2 (2014) p. 99 - 108 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/donna_winham/14/