The development and evaluation of a social cooking intervention in places of worship

Supervisors

• Primary Supervisor: Dr Riya Patel rp526@leicester.ac.uk
• Co-Supervisors: Professor Kamlesh Khunti kk22@leicester.ac.uk and Dr Ash Routen ar516@leicester.ac.uk

Project

Background

People from South Asian ethnicity (SA) constitute 9.3% of the population in the most recent census data for the United Kingdom. In comparison to their white counterparts South Asians are at an increased  risk of developing cardio-metabolic diseases (T2DM, IHD, heart failure). Large scale cohort studies have shown the conventional risk factors such as smoking prevalence, increased cholesterol level and systolic blood pressure are lower in SAs in comparison to their white counterparts. The increased incidence of these conditions may therefore result from other lifestyle factors and inherent genetic risks. Systematic review evidence consistently shows that seeking to achieve lifestyle changes through diet and exercise have limited success (Farhat et al., 2024; Rai et al., 2023)

Consistent barriers across the literature continue to reiterate the need for advice and recommendations to take into account heritage-based or cultural practices around festivals and fasts. Cultural beliefs deeply rooted in communal meal practices have been identified as significant barriers to enacting recommended lifestyle changes. Communal meals hold profound social and cultural significance, creating pressure to consume traditional foods, which may not align with recommended dietary guidelines for chronic disease management. This positions communal settings like places of worship to be a valuable setting to deliver interventions around social cooking. Previous research has shown that social cooking interventions in places of worship are feasible, and acceptable, but not sustainable beyond the research cycle (Parker 2013). The co-production of a scalable intervention addressing repeatedly identified barriers at a population level needs to be developed and tested.  

The primary objective of this PhD is to develop and test a social cooking intervention for community volunteers supporting cooking  in places of worship for South Asian people. This PhD aims to address cultural barriers experienced by South Asians when trying to adhere to dietary guidelines for chronic disease management. 

The aims, objectives and methodology of this studentship will be refined and finalised by the successful candidate once they have begun the studentship, with support from the team of supervisors. However, currently proposed aims and methodology are summarised below.

Methodology

It is likely the PhD will employ a mixed-methods approach. The project plan and methodology will be refined and finalised when the successful candidate has begun their studentship, however the following outline is currently proposed:

Phase 1: A systematic review
To conduct a systematic review exploring social cooking initiatives in places of worship and community settings. 

Phase 2:  Co-production of an intervention through applying qualitative methods
To undertake qualitative research with key stakeholders to develop a social cooking intervention for places of worship. 
Qualitative study guided by TDF and RE-AIM, and co-production workshops informed by the 3C’s framework in line with BCW. 

Phase 3: feasibility and acceptability testing of the intervention

Objectives

• To conduct a feasibility study to assess trial feasibility via recruitment and refusal rates, retention and engagement rates for participation. 
• To qualitatively explore acceptability of trial procedures and engaging with the intervention with a sample of participants and drop-outs from the trial.
• To qualitatively explore congregants’ perceptions of food following changes made by cooks within the places of worship.

The successful applicant will be embedded with a team of experts in co-production, faith-based healthcare, ethnicity and health, intervention development and evaluation MLTC’s. Training and support in a wide variety of research methodologies is available where necessary. The PhD project will be integrated into a vibrant postgraduate research community within the Diabetes Research Centre and the Centre for Ethnicity and Health at the University of Leicester, and help advance the aims of the Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) East Midlands.

Relevant references

• Farhat, G., Mellor, D. D., Sattar, N., Harvie, M., Issa, B., & Rutter, M. K. (2024). Effectiveness of lifestyle interventions/culturally bespoke programmes in South Asian ethnic groups targeting weight loss for prevention and/or remission of type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of intervention trials. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics.
• Parker, T (2013) Pickles, Pakora and Portions: An evaluation of the Social cooking project 2011 – 2013. https://www.bhf.org.uk/-/media/files/information-and-support/publications/social-cooking/bhf_social-cooking_evaluation_online-1.pdf?rev=dae66648f4bc481b8bd9ee590325bd99