272 Evaluating well-being in underserved communities through culinary and nutrition education: Adaptation of the PERMA profiler for youth

Abstract

Objectives/Goals: The role of everyday behaviors that may provide positive experiences that contribute to well-being in children is not well known. Hands-on tasks, collaboration, and cooking may help. Using validated PERMA measures, The Nourished Minds Project promotes well-being in underserved U.S. youth (grades 3–8) through nutrition and culinary education. Methods/Study Population: The study integrates an adapted PERMA Profiler into Common Threads’ classes to assess well-being in underserved children. The 49-item tool was reduced to 16-items, ensuring consistency (Cronbach alpha ≥0.7) and a 3rd-4th grade reading level. Participants from SNAP-eligible communities will be recruited from partner schools in nine U.S. cities. The intervention group will complete surveys before, during, and after the 10-week program, while a control group will take surveys without participating. Data will be collected via paper and digital formats, analyzed in R using paired t-tests or Wilcoxon tests. The study will assess PERMA constructs and conduct subgroup analyses, with observational data monitoring fidelity and engagement. Results/Anticipated Results: It is expected that integrating the adapted PERMA measure, alongside an updated PERMA-related cooking curriculum, within these programs will significantly enhance youth well-being across all five constructs. The adapted measure is anticipated to demonstrate validity in capturing meaningful changes in the psychological and emotional states of participating youth, with projected improvements in self-reported well-being across these areas over the course of the intervention as well post-intervention. Discussion/Significance of Impact: The adaptation of the PERMA Profiler for youth will serve as a vital tool to measure well-being in underserved communities. By linking culinary education to psychological flourishing, the Nourished Minds project can help inform future interventions aimed at enhancing youth well-being.