What is known?
Group nutrition education and cooking programs can support health behaviour change in the general population, including better diet quality. For people affected by cancer, these programs could meet commonly reported needs for dietary information and support, as well as providing practical and social support to cancer patients and their families.
This review reported on the nutrition-related content, delivery methods, and outcomes measured in existing group nutrition education and cooking programs for people affected that have been reported in the published literature. It also described how these programs were developed, implemented, and evaluated.
What is new?
37 programs have been reported in the published literature in the past 10 years. The key findings were:
- Most programs were designed for adult cancer survivors and conducted after primary treatment.
- Only four programs invited caregivers to attend.
- Almost all programs included nutrition education, and more than half included cooking activities.
- Most programs were delivered by dietitians or nutritionists and included group discussions and active involvement in cooking activities.
- Participant outcomes measured in the programs could be categorized as dietary, psychosocial, clinical, and anthropometric outcomes.
- Many programs were developed with cancer survivors, dietitians or nutritionists, and researchers.
- No studies reported on sustainability of program implementation or overall costs.
- Program evaluations reported on program participation, acceptability, and suggestions for improvement.
What does this mean?
Future research should assess whether group nutrition and cooking programs result in improved outcomes for people diagnosed with cancer. Future development, implementation and evaluation of these programs should also include family members and friends and assess the sustainability of program delivery and cost-effectiveness.
Contact: Lizzy Johnston
Reference: Johnston EA, Ayre SK, Au-Yeung YT, Goodwin BC. A scoping review of group nutrition education and cooking programs for people affected by cancer. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.jand.2024.02.011