Sit-Down Family Dinners Improve Teens’ Eating Habits
A new Canadian study shows that teens and young adults who sit down for family dinners — even when the family unit is less than functional — tend to have healthier eating habits than if they graze or fend for themselves at dinner time.
Lead researcher Kathryn Walton, dietitian and Ph.D. student at the University of Guelph in Ontario, conducted the study with family relations and applied nutrition professor Jess Haines.
“Gathering around the dinner table is sort of a magical thing,” Walton says. “It’s a time when families can slow down from their busy days to talk, spend time together and problem-solve. It’s also a time that parents can model healthful eating behaviours.”
The findings, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, reveal that when families sit down together, adolescents and young adults eat more fruits and veggies and consume fewer fast-food and takeout items.
The study involved more than 2,700 participants between 14 to 24 years old who were living with their parents in 2011. The young people were asked how often they sat down for dinner with their families, how well their family functions, and about their consumption of fruit and vegetables, sugar-sweetened beverages, fast food and takeout food.
The study found that family dinners are associated with better dietary intake for adolescents from both high and low functioning families.
“To reap the many benefits of family dinners, the meal doesn’t have to be a big drawn-out affair,” said Haines. “Even if it’s something you pull out of the freezer, add a bagged salad on the side and you’ll have a decent nutritional meal.”
Walton said many teens and young adults living at home are busy with evening extracurricular activities or part-time jobs, which makes it difficult to find time for dinner with family members. But finding that time once a day — even if it’s breakfast together — can be just as effective.
In addition, adolescents who help prepare food are more likely to eat it. Getting the whole family involved helps cut down on prep-time and teaches young people important food skills. Every meal together counts, start with one and sit down together more frequently as the family schedule allows.
Walton, who is currently working as a post-doctoral researcher at Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto, said she hopes to study ways to make it easier for busy families to have meals together. She said prepping weekday meals over the weekend can help families avoid last-minute fast food runs when bellies start to grumble.
“Our research found that family dinners are a great way to improve the dietary intake of the whole family, regardless of how well the family functions together,” said Walton. “Preparing and enjoying a meal together can also help families bond. It’s a win-win.”
Source: University of Guelph