The Family Mealtime Study: Understanding Occurrences During and Surrounding Family Mealtimes

Abstract

ObjectiveResearch showed that family mealtimes (FM) positively impact youth's dietary behaviors. However, the process is unclear. Understanding the processes can clarify how FM impact youth. This knowledge can be used to design better educational programming for families - a step towards obesity prevention. This mixed methods study aims to identify occurrences around FM that impact youths' dietary behaviors to promote positive FM with the goal of obesity prevention.Design, Setting and ParticipantsOne hundred parent-child dyads completed surveys. A subsample of 40 families participated in mealtime observations. Twenty parents were interviewed. Data collection was conducted in the participants’ homes.Outcome Measures and AnalysisParent-child dietary behaviors, family mealtime practices, mealtime-related occurrences, and thoughts about family mealtimes were analyzed using SPSS and NVivo.ResultsCorrelations showed that youth who had frequent FM (77%, ≥ 5 times/week) and healthy food at home had healthier food preferences. Parents who prioritized FM had youth who did not use media during FM (> 60%). Families that used media during FM consumed less healthy meals and had parents who modeled unhealthy eating. Parents who valued FM and who modeled healthy eating behaviors had youth who ate out less. Parents who practiced controlling feeding had youth with more weight concerns. Qualitative findings showed that FM is a platform through which socialization processes occur, and mealtimes were important for family bonding. Mealtime routines, financial resources, and time were also important components of FM.Conclusions and ImplicationsObesity prevention interventions should include educating parents to develop positive mealtime practices, to build relationships between family members, and to reduce mealtime media usage.FundingUSDA, Transdisciplinary Childhood Obesity Prevention (TOP) Program. ObjectiveResearch showed that family mealtimes (FM) positively impact youth's dietary behaviors. However, the process is unclear. Understanding the processes can clarify how FM impact youth. This knowledge can be used to design better educational programming for families - a step towards obesity prevention. This mixed methods study aims to identify occurrences around FM that impact youths' dietary behaviors to promote positive FM with the goal of obesity prevention. Research showed that family mealtimes (FM) positively impact youth's dietary behaviors. However, the process is unclear. Understanding the processes can clarify how FM impact youth. This knowledge can be used to design better educational programming for families - a step towards obesity prevention. This mixed methods study aims to identify occurrences around FM that impact youths' dietary behaviors to promote positive FM with the goal of obesity prevention. Design, Setting and ParticipantsOne hundred parent-child dyads completed surveys. A subsample of 40 families participated in mealtime observations. Twenty parents were interviewed. Data collection was conducted in the participants’ homes. One hundred parent-child dyads completed surveys. A subsample of 40 families participated in mealtime observations. Twenty parents were interviewed. Data collection was conducted in the participants’ homes. Outcome Measures and AnalysisParent-child dietary behaviors, family mealtime practices, mealtime-related occurrences, and thoughts about family mealtimes were analyzed using SPSS and NVivo. Parent-child dietary behaviors, family mealtime practices, mealtime-related occurrences, and thoughts about family mealtimes were analyzed using SPSS and NVivo. ResultsCorrelations showed that youth who had frequent FM (77%, ≥ 5 times/week) and healthy food at home had healthier food preferences. Parents who prioritized FM had youth who did not use media during FM (> 60%). Families that used media during FM consumed less healthy meals and had parents who modeled unhealthy eating. Parents who valued FM and who modeled healthy eating behaviors had youth who ate out less. Parents who practiced controlling feeding had youth with more weight concerns. Qualitative findings showed that FM is a platform through which socialization processes occur, and mealtimes were important for family bonding. Mealtime routines, financial resources, and time were also important components of FM. Correlations showed that youth who had frequent FM (77%, ≥ 5 times/week) and healthy food at home had healthier food preferences. Parents who prioritized FM had youth who did not use media during FM (> 60%). Families that used media during FM consumed less healthy meals and had parents who modeled unhealthy eating. Parents who valued FM and who modeled healthy eating behaviors had youth who ate out less. Parents who practiced controlling feeding had youth with more weight concerns. Qualitative findings showed that FM is a platform through which socialization processes occur, and mealtimes were important for family bonding. Mealtime routines, financial resources, and time were also important components of FM. Conclusions and ImplicationsObesity prevention interventions should include educating parents to develop positive mealtime practices, to build relationships between family members, and to reduce mealtime media usage. Obesity prevention interventions should include educating parents to develop positive mealtime practices, to build relationships between family members, and to reduce mealtime media usage.