Rutgers Study Reveals A Need For Basic Kitche...( Families are earning high marks on in...),Health

Families are earning high marks on intentions for good nutrition but lack knowledge of food prep fundamentals

PITTSBURGH, April 8 /PRNewswire/ -- It's no surprise that with the current economic conditions, three-quarters of what people eat comes from their home(1) and healthy eating is largely dependent on what food families keep in their kitchens. After taking a peek inside family pantries, fridges, and freezers, Rutgers University researchers found that, in general, households are keeping nutritious foods on hand. What surprised researchers was the correlation between dads' body mass index (or BMI, a number calculated from a person's weight and height, which is used to identify those who may be at risk for weight-related health problems) and the food and nutrients available in the household, implying that dads' wellness is more strongly related to that of the family than previously thought. And, with more meals being eaten at home, what's missing are the cooking skills.

Published in the April issue of Appetite by Elsevier and commissioned by the Canned Food Alliance (CFA), the study was conducted among moms of young children (n=100) across New Jersey - a diversely populated state that reflects national demographics. The study inventoried food in these homes and compared the nutrient and food content in households with and without higher BMI(2) family members.

"People eat food, not nutrients, so it was important to take a look at the food families have in their kitchens," said Carol Byrd-Bredbenner, Ph.D., RD, FADA, lead researcher, Nutritional Sciences Department, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. "If the food people have in their homes does not support healthful eating, it can be more difficult for families to manage their weight and avoid obesity-related illnesses."

What's Behind Closed (Pantry) Doors

Regardless of househo
'/>"/>