Advance Quantity Meal Preparation Pilot Program Improves Home-Cooked Meal Consumption, Cooking Attitudes, and Self-Efficacy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of a group-based Advance Quantity Meal Preparation (AQMP) program on the consumption of home-cooked meals, cooking attitudes, and self-efficacy in healthy adults. METHODS: Participants (n = 10) in a group setting prepared healthy meals weekly consisting of 10 entrees and 5 snacks for 6 weeks. A survey assessing cooking attitudes, cooking self-efficacy, and cooking behavior and consumption at 3 time points: preprogram, postprogram (T2), and 3 months postprogram (T3). RESULTS: The AQMP program increased the proportion of overall home-cooked meal consumption (T2, P = 0.03), home-cooked dinner consumption (T2, P = 0.04), cooking attitudes (T3, P = 0.01), and cooking self-efficacy (T2, P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: This pilot study indicates that AQMP may increase home-cooked meal consumption, cooking attitudes, and cooking self-efficacy.