Impact of a Culinary Medicine Intervention on Diet and Health Metrics in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Elevated Body Mass Index

Authors

• Natalia I Heredia
• Logan R Thornton
• Diana C Guevara
• Natalia Williams
• Grace Marcelo-Ramirez
• Joanne Chow
• Lorna H McNeill
• Karen Basen-Engquist
• Ruth Rechis
• Deanna M Hoelscher

Language

English

Publication Date

1-1-2026

Journal

PLoS One

DOI

10.1371/journal.pone.0347040

PMID

42160272

PMCID

PMC13189329

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

5-20-2026

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Abstract

Purpose: Culinary Medicine (CM), an educational approach blending the art of cooking with the science of medicine, has shown promise in improving diet and health outcomes. We conducted a mixed-methods, quasi-experimental evaluation of a CM program to promote cooking and healthy dietary intake.

Methods: Patients with type 2 diabetes and elevated body mass index (>25) were recruited from primary care clinics in low-income neighborhoods. The program, delivered by a dietitian, includes five weekly 90-minute sessions on basic cooking skills with behaviorally-based nutrition education. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods pilot study with a pre-post survey design and post-program interviews was used to assess improvements in dietary behaviors, nutrition knowledge, and cooking skills.

Results: A total of 89 individuals enrolled (58 intervention, 31 control). Fifty (86%) intervention participants attended the sessions, and 45 (78%) completed post-intervention surveys, while 22 (71%) control participants completed post-intervention surveys. Compared to control, the intervention group showed statistically significant improvements in perceived health (Adjusted Odds Ratio = 16.15, 95% CI 3.47,75.23, p < 0.001) and cooking self-efficacy (Adjusted β = 0.43, 95% CI 0.03,0.84, p = 0.04), and a decrease in perceived barriers to healthy eating (Adjusted β = -0.64, 95% CI -1.21,-0.08, p = 0.03). We found a statistically significant decrease in HbA1c in the intervention group from pre- to post-test, though between-group comparisons were not statistically significant. All other behavioral, psychosocial, and biometric variables were non-significant but trended in the expected direction.

Conclusions: This study is feasible and acceptable. The CM program effectively promotes cooking skills and healthy eating among low-income patients with type 2 diabetes and elevated body mass index.

Keywords

Humans, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Female, Male, Middle Aged, Body Mass Index, Cooking, Aged, Pilot Projects, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Diet, Feeding Behavior, Adult

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Heredia, Natalia I; Thornton, Logan R; Guevara, Diana C; et al., "Impact of a Culinary Medicine Intervention on Diet and Health Metrics in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Elevated Body Mass Index" (2026). Faculty, Staff and Student Publications. 1450.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/uthsph_docs/1450