Childhood experience in meal planning and preparation : the impact on Maltese adolescents’ eating habits

Abstract

Research indicates that children’s involvement in meal preparation is linked to healthier dietary patterns; however, evidence on its long-term impact on adolescence remains limited. This article addresses this gap by adopting a retrospective mixed-methods design to examine the association between childhood involvement in meal planning and preparation (MPP) and later dietary habits and food appreciation among Maltese adolescents aged 13–15 years. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to 100 adolescents, followed by a focus group interview (FGI) with seven adolescents to further explore emerging themes. Findings show that early involvement in MPP is positively associated with healthier eating behaviours in adolescence. Over half of participants (53.5%) reported a positive influence on their eating habits, including increased vegetable and fruit consumption (63.9%), greater food and health awareness (58.3%) and improved kitchen confidence (47.2%). Qualitative findings supported these results, highlighting enhanced food appreciation, enjoyment and confidence. Overall, sustained engagement in MPP, supported by food and nutrition knowledge, appears to foster self-efficacy and healthier dietary choices. These findings highlight the importance of introducing Home Economics (HE) education at the primary level and making it compulsory throughout secondary schooling to promote long-term healthy eating behaviours.