Family Meal Patterns Research Articles

The Role of Family Intergenerational Dynamic Transmission in Shaping Health Behaviors and Outcomes among Chinese Adolescents

Objectives: Family intergenerational dynamic transmission is considered to play an important role in influencing the overall lifestyle of an individual. Therefore, the current study also aims to determine the role of family intergenerational dynamic transmission in influencing the health behaviors and other associated outcomes among Chinese adolescents. Methods: For this purpose, the main focus was given on the eating health behaviors of the associated adolescents. For this study, data was collected from "Eating and Activity in Teens" (EAT) 2018. It was population-based research which focused on the physical activity and eating outcomes among different adolescents, focusing on their family intergenerational dynamic transmission (ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and family meal patterns). For this study, a total of 2,700 participants were considered (girl adolescents=1,400, boy adolescents=1,300). Linear regression analysis was used for determining the association between the associated health behaviors among adolescents and family intergenerational dynamic transmission. Results: The results obtained from this study show that meal patters, family meals, breakfast consumption and fruits and vegetables intake improved among the adolescent girls (p < 0.05). However, no significant association was observed within fast food intake. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was found to be insignificant (p > 0.05), while sedentary lifestyle was significant (p < 0.05). Moreover, BMI of the adolescent girls also provided significant outcomes (p < 0.05). It has also been observed that meal patters, family meals, breakfast consumption and fast-food intake improved among the adolescent boys (p < 0.05). Conclusion: However, no significant association was observed within the context of fruits and vegetables intake. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sedentary lifestyle, also found to be significant (p < 0.05). Finally, BMI of the adolescent boys did not improve, showing insignificant outcomes (p > 0.05). In conclusion, family intergenerational dynamic transmission plays an important role in influencing health behaviors among adolescents.

Parental Participation in a Healthy Lifestyle Program for Middle Schoolers Improves Their Family Meal Patterns and Social Support and Self-Regulation for Healthy Eating (P16-041-19)

ObjectivesThe development and dissemination of appropriate integrated curricula for parents represent a critical need and a novel approach in the obesity prevention field. Our objective was to assess if parental participation in a healthy lifestyle program (PAWS [Peer-education About Weight Steadiness] Club) for middle school students would improve parental anthropometrics, social cognitive theory (SCT) mediators of dietary behavior, and family mealtime frequency and environment. MethodsA total of 42 parents participated in five weekly 1.5-hour sessions, delivered four times from 2015–2017. The sessions were led by a trained research assistant; focused on family fitness, meal planning, family mealtimes, label reading, energy balance, making healthy choices and simple recipes, self-reflection and goal setting. Data on anthropometrics, blood pressure (BP), SCT mediators (social/family support, self-efficacy, self-regulation, and outcome expectations) of eating, and family meal patterns (frequency and environment) was collected from the parents at pre-and post-intervention. Wilcoxon Signed Rank test was used to determine any changes from baseline to post assessment for SCT mediators of dietary behavior and family meal patterns. Paired t-test was used to determine any changes from pre-to post-intervention for anthropometric and BP measurements. Significance was set at P < 0.05. ResultsOf the 42 participants, 67% were females (mothers); 33% self-reported White and 33% self-reported African American race/ethnicity. Participants significantly improved in their self-regulation for reducing unhealthy foods (P = 0.011), social support for balancing calories (P = 0.007), and family mealtime patterns (P = 0.003) from pre- to post-assessment. No significant changes were observed for anthropometric and BP measures. ConclusionsParental participation in a healthy lifestyle program can potentially improve family mealtime environment and frequency and increase self-regulation and social support for dietary behaviors of the family. These results have implications for planning future health programs with adolescents in schools. Funding SourcesSupported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2012-68001-22032.

The intergenerational transmission of family meal practices: a mixed-methods study of parents of young children.

The current mixed-methods study explored qualitative accounts of prior childhood experiences and current contextual factors around family meals across three quantitatively informed categories of family meal frequency patterns from adolescence to parenthood: (i) 'maintainers' of family meals across generations; (ii) 'starters' of family meals in the next generation; and (iii) 'inconsistent' family meal patterns across generations. Quantitative survey data collected as part of the first (1998-1999) and fourth (2015-2016) waves of the longitudinal Project EAT (Eating and Activity in Adolescents and Young Adults) study and qualitative interviews conducted with a subset (n 40) of Project EAT parent participants in 2016-2017. Surveys were completed in school (Wave 1) and online (Wave 4); qualitative interviews were completed in-person or over the telephone.ParticipantsParents of children of pre-school age (n 40) who had also completed Project EAT surveys at Wave 1 and Wave 4. Findings revealed salient variation within each overarching theme around family meal influences ('early childhood experiences', 'influence of partner', 'household skills' and 'family priorities') across the three intergenerational family meal patterns, in which 'maintainers' had numerous influences that supported the practice of family meals; 'starters' experienced some supports and some challenges; and 'inconsistents' experienced many barriers to making family meals a regular practice. Family meal interventions should address differences in cooking and planning skills, aim to reach all adults in the home, and seek to help parents who did not eat family meals as a child develop an understanding of how and why they might start this tradition with their family.

Effects of family nutrition and physical activity screening for obesity risk in school-age children.

An obesogenic home environment is a major contributor to overeating and sedentariness in school-aged children, as children have less autonomy during this phase of development and are influenced by family environmental cues. The purpose of this study was to implement a screening tool at a low socioeconomic elementary school clinic to identify children at risk of developing obesity and provide standardization for practitioners on educating parents regarding child obesity risk factors. An evidence-based practice design utilizing the Family Nutrition and Physical Activity (FNPA) tool was completed at all visits of patients ages 4 to 11. Parents completed the 20-item screening tool related to 10 factors (family meal patterns, family eating habits, food choices, beverage choices, restriction/reward, screen time behavior and monitoring, healthy environment, family activity involvement, child activity involvement, family routine). The nurse practitioner (NP) provided parents with education regarding healthy home practices based on American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations. Level of obesity risk (low, moderate, and high) was determined based on the FNPA score and body mass index (BMI) of the patient. Patients identified as at-risk were scheduled for a 2-month follow-up and rescreened to determine if lifestyle modifications were made. Twenty-seven children were screened using the FNPA tool, with an initial mean FNPA score of 64. Ninety-three percent were classified as a moderate or high risk for obesity (BMI percentile 85th or greater and/or moderate-high risk FNPA scores). Seven percent had a healthy BMI and low-risk FNPA scores and did not require follow-up intervention. Sixty-seven percent of patients scores improved at follow-up, with an average FNPA score of 70. Effect size stratified by risk category was low-risk score 0.07 and moderate-risk score 1.49 with a standard deviation of 5.36. Implementation of the FNPA tool at a school-based clinic is a feasible opportunity to identify children at risk for obesity and allows for anticipatory guidance by the NP to increase awareness of parental influence as role models for healthy lifestyle behaviors.

Family Meal Patterns and Childs BMI

Our research aims to identify the factors that go into the dynamic of mealtime for children and how these factors affect health outcomes outside the nutrient composition of the meal itself. Our survey included questions that would help us understand what dynamics are present during the time when children are eating their meals at home, and if these factors directly or indirectly affect the BMI of the child. Our strongest outcome is the R-values which indicate room for further collaborative research in this growing area of nutrition.

Intergenerational transmission of family meal patterns from adolescence to parenthood: longitudinal associations with parents' dietary intake, weight-related behaviours and psychosocial well-being.

The present study examined longitudinal associations between four family meal patterns (i.e. never had regular family meals, started having regular family meals, stopped having regular family meals, maintained having regular family meals) and young adult parents' dietary intake, weight-related behaviours and psychosocial well-being. In addition, family meal patterns of parents were compared with those of non-parents. Analysis of data from the longitudinal Project EAT (Eating and Activity in Adolescents and Young Adults) study. Linear and logistic regressions were used to examine the associations between family meal patterns and parents' dietary intake, weight-related behaviours and psychosocial well-being. School and in-home settings. At baseline (1998; EAT-I), adolescents (n 4746) from socio-economically and racially/ethnically diverse households completed a survey and anthropometric measurements at school. At follow-up (2015; EAT-IV), participants who were parents (n 726) and who were non-parents with significant others (n 618) completed an online survey. Young adult parents who reported having regular family meals as an adolescent and as a parent ('maintainers'), or who started having regular family meals with their own families ('starters'), reported more healthful dietary, weight-related and psychosocial outcomes compared with young adults who never reported having regular family meals ('nevers'; P<0·05). In addition, parents were more likely to be family meal starters than non-parents. Results suggest that mental and physical health benefits of having regular family meals may be realized as a parent whether the routine of regular family meals is carried forward from adolescence into parenthood, or if the routine is started in parenthood.

Correlates of irregular family meal patterns among 11-year-old children from the Pro Children study

ABSTRACTBackground: The importance of family meals to the consumption of healthful food choices has been stated in recent reviews. However, little information is available on barriers that interfere with regular family meal patterns during childhood.Objective: Describe family meal patterns among 11-year-old children across Europe and identify correlates of irregular family breakfast and dinner consumption.Design: Cross-sectional survey involving samples of 13,305 children from nine European countries in 2003.Results: The proportions of children who regularly ate family breakfast and dinner were 62% and 90%, respectively. Correlates of irregular family breakfasts and dinners were less vegetable consumption, and irregular family breakfasts were associated with more television viewing. Social differences in the consumption of family breakfasts were observed.Discussion: Strengths of this study are the large sample size and validated research method. Limitations are the cross-sectional design and self-reported data.Conclusion: The majority of 11-year-old children regularly ate breakfast and dinner with their families. More television viewing and less vegetable consumption were associated with irregular family breakfasts and dinners, respectively. Social differences were observed in the regularity of family breakfasts. Promoting family meals across social class may lead to healthier eating and activity habits, sustainable at the population level.

Childhood obesity and education

This is a sequence of four photos taken within 10 min in a typical US diner, at the end of a boy’s meal with his parents. The boy (roughly 7 years old) did not touch the fruit, apart from playing around with a grape, but devoured the chocolate cake with voracity. The fruit was eventually discarded. The boy’s parents stared at their smartphones for most of the meal. The prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing worldwide. Behavioural and environmental factors in the family home, such as those related to healthy eating, have been shown to aff ect the risk of obesity in children. Moreover, evidence suggests t h a t child eating behaviours are associated with parent education and role modelling, family food rules, and family meal patterns. These factors can make it easier or more diffi cult for children to eat healthily. Eff ective interventions to encourage healthy eating in children are urgently needed.

Prevalence and Health Correlates of Overweight and Obesity in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be at increased risk for overweight and obesity, but little information is known about correlates of overweight and obesity in this population. This study compared prevalence rates of parent-reported overweight and obesity and specific health behaviors (i.e., parent report of child sleep, family meal patterns, child screen time, and child physical activity) among children with ASD (N = more than 900 [weighted to represent 690,000; age 10-17]) compared with children without ASD using data from a nationally representative sample. Additionally, the relationship between specific health behaviors (i.e., child sleep, family meals, screen time, and physical activity) and weight status was examined in the ASD population. Data were from the National Survey of Children's Health 2011-2012. Results indicate that children with ASD were more likely to be obese but not more likely to be overweight than non-ASD youth. Children with ASD engaged in physical activity less than children without ASD, but no differences were found on sleep, most measures of screen time, and mealtimes. However, parent perceived poorer sleep was associated with increased weight status, and fewer family meals were associated with normal weight status among children with ASD.

Race/Ethnicity and Income in Relation to the Home Food Environment in US Youth Aged 6 to 19 Years

BackgroundThe home food environment is complex and has the potential to influence dietary habit development in young people. Several factors may influence the home food environment, including income and race/ethnicity. ObjectiveTo examine the relationship of income and race/ethnicity with three home food environment factors (ie, food availability frequency, family meal patterns [frequency of family and home cooked meals], and family food expenditures). DesignA cross-sectional analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). ParticipantsA total of 5,096 youth aged 6 to 19 years from a nationally representative sample of US individuals participating in NHANES 2007-10. Statistical analyses performedPrevalence of food availability frequency was assessed for the entire sample, race/ethnicity, poverty income ratio (PIR), and race/ethnicity stratified by PIR. Mean values of family meal patterns and food expenditures were calculated based on race/ethnicity, PIR, and race/ethnicity stratified by PIR using analysis of variance and least squares means. Tests of main effects were used to assess differences in food availability prevalence and mean values of family meal patterns and food expenditures. ResultsNon-Hispanic whites had the highest prevalence of salty snacks (51.1%±1.5%) and fat-free/low-fat milk (39.2%±1.7%) always available. High-income homes had the highest prevalence of fruits (75.4%±2.4%) and fat-free/low-fat milk (38.4%±2.1%) always available. Differences were found for prevalence of food availability when race/ethnicity was stratified by PIR. Non-Hispanic blacks had the lowest prevalence of fat-free/low-fat milk always available across PIR groups. Differences in mean levels of family meal patterns and food expenditures were found for race/ethnicity, PIR, and race/ethnicity stratified by PIR. ConclusionsRace/ethnicity and PIR appear to influence food availability, family meal patterns, and family food expenditures in homes of youth. Knowledge of factors that influence the home food environment could assist in developing effective strategies to improve food environments for young people.

Dinner rituals that correlate with child and adult BMI

What predicts whether a child will be at risk for obesity? Whereas past research has focused on foods, eating habits, feeding styles, and family meal patterns, this study departs from a food-centric approach to examine how various dinner rituals might influence the BMIs of children and adults. In this study of 190 parents (BMI = 29.1 ± 7.2) and 148 children (BMI = 20.3 ± 4.4), the relationship between their BMIs and everyday family dinner rituals was examined using both correlation and regression analysis (controlled for educational level of parents). Families who frequently ate dinner in the kitchen or dining room had significantly lower BMIs for both adults (r = -0.31) and children (r = -0.24) compared to families who ate elsewhere. Additionally, helping cook dinner was associated with higher BMI for girls (r = 0.26), and remaining at the table until everyone is finished with eating was associated with lower BMI for boys (r = -0.31). Dinner tables may be one place where social support and family involvement meet-both of which relate to the BMI of children as well as parents. Family meals and their rituals might be an underappreciated battleground to fight obesity.

Childhood Obesity Risk in Overweight Mothers

Purpose. Family dietary and nutritional behaviors predispose children to obesity. The purpose of this study was to examine the childhood obesity risk among overweight women and to assess feasibility of using a screening tool in a busy clinic setting. Design. A cross-sectional study using the Family Nutrition Physical Activity (FNPA) tool was self-administered by 98 overweight mothers identifying risk factors for childhood obesity. Measures. Mothers completed demographic and a 20-item screening survey with subscales on family meal patterns, family eating habits, food choices, beverage choices, restriction/reward, screen time behavior and monitoring, healthy environment, family activity involvement, child activity involvement, and family routine. After completing the survey, a summary of recommended practices from the American Academy of Pediatrics was provided. Results. Ninety-eight mothers participated (of 172 children between 2 and 18 years old). Lower FNPA scores (obesogenic) were associated were higher body mass index, family income, race/ethnicity, education, and mother’s body mass index. Parents’ and children’s obesity was comparable to what is found in larger populations, whereas obesity in the age-group between 2 and 5 years was doubled. Conclusion. Findings support maternal obesity is significant predictor for the development of child obesity. FNPA identified risk and feasibility of use was demonstrated.

중학생의 가족식사 횟수에 따른 식행동, 식품섭취 및 삶의 만족도

To study the importance of family in adolescents, 251 middle school students were surveyed through a questionnaire on their family meal patterns, dietary behaviors, food intake, and life satisfaction. The family were defined as meals with all family members living together by 62.2% of the students. For the frequency of family meals, 42.2% of the students replied having family More than once a day. A common reason for the difficulty in having a family meal was a lack of time (73.3% of the students). Students tended to respond that they would be most fond in having with entire family members with traditional Korean food. Having more frequent family was found to benefit both individual and familial dietary behavior. In terms of food intake according to the frequency of family meals, the group having frequent family consumed significantly more rice, tofu, legumes, meats, fishes, eggs, green vegetables, seaweeds, fruits, milk, and milk products. This indicates that students can achieve a balanced diet through family meals. In terms of emotional status, the group having more frequent family showed a higher satisfaction with their daily life, health, nutritional status, and care from their relatives. In terms of personal mental status, the group having more frequent family was also found to be more effective at controlling undesirable emotions such as loneliness, indignation, and lethargy. As a result of this study, students in the group having more frequent family were found to have a positive dietary behavior, a balanced nutrition, a higher life satisfaction, and a more stable mental status. This result is useful as nutritional and educational information in schools to impress upon the public the importance of family for adolescents.

Family Functioning: Associations With Weight Status, Eating Behaviors, and Physical Activity in Adolescents

This article examines the relationship between family functioning (e.g., communication, closeness, problem solving, behavioral control) and adolescent weight status and relevant eating and physical activity behaviors. Data are from EAT 2010 (Eating and Activity in Teens), a population-based study that assessed eating and activity among socioeconomically and racially/ethnically diverse youths (n = 2,793). Adolescents (46.8% boys, 53.2% girls) completed anthropometric assessments and surveys at school between 2009 and 2010. Multiple linear regression was used to test the relationship between family functioning and adolescent weight, dietary intake, family meal patterns, and physical activity. Additional regression models were fit to test for interactions by race/ethnicity. For adolescent girls, higher family functioning was associated with lower body mass index z score and percent overweight, less sedentary behavior, higher intake of fruits and vegetables, and more frequent family meals and breakfast consumption. For adolescent boys, higher family functioning was associated with more physical activity, less sedentary behavior, less fast-food consumption, and more frequent family meals and breakfast consumption. There was one significant interaction by race/ethnicity for family meals; the association between higher family functioning and more frequent family meals was stronger for nonwhite boys compared with white boys. Overall, strengths of associations tended to be small, with effect sizes ranging from -.07 to .31 for statistically significant associations. Findings suggest that family functioning may be protective for adolescent weight and weight-related health behaviors across all race/ethnicities, although assumptions regarding family functioning in the homes of overweight children should be avoided, given small effect sizes.

Shared meals among young adults are associated with better diet quality and predicted by family meal patterns during adolescence.

To describe shared meal patterns and examine associations with dietary intake among young adults. Population-based, longitudinal cohort study (Project EAT: Eating and Activity in Teens and Young Adults). Participants completed surveys and FFQ in high-school classrooms in Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN, USA in 1998-1999 (mean age = 15·0 years, 'adolescence') and follow-up measures online or by mail in 2008-2009 (mean age = 25·3 years, 'young adulthood'). There were 2052 participants who responded to the 10-year follow-up survey and reported on frequency of having shared meals. Among young adults, the frequency of shared meals during the past week was as follows: never (9·9 %), one or two times (24·7 %), three to six times (39·1 %) and seven or more times (26·3 %). Having more frequent family meals during adolescence predicted a higher frequency of shared meals in young adulthood above and beyond other relevant sociodemographic factors such as household composition and parental status. Compared with young adults who never had family meals during adolescence, those young adults who reported seven or more family meals per week during adolescence had an average of one additional shared meal per week. Having more frequent shared meals in young adulthood was associated with greater intake of fruit among males and females, and with higher intakes of vegetables, milk products and some key nutrients among females. Nutrition professionals should encourage families of adolescents to share meals often and establish the tradition of eating together, and work with young adults to ensure that healthy food and beverage choices are offered at mealtimes.

Patterns of Family Meals and Nutritional Intakes in Participants of the Nebraska Nutrition Education Program

To assess family meal patterns of the Nebraska Nutrition Education Program (NEP) participants and to determine how the frequency of family meals affected the food group intake patterns of the children and the nutritional intake of the guardians.

Parenting Style and Family Meals: Cross-Sectional and 5-Year Longitudinal Associations

Background Research on family meals in the past decade has shown a positive association between family meal frequency and adolescent healthy dietary intake. However, less is known about factors within the home environment, such as parenting style, that may be associated with family meal patterns. Objective The purpose of this study is to test cross-sectional and 5-year longitudinal associations between parenting styles (authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and neglectful) and the frequency of family meals among adolescents. Study design Data were from Project Eating Among Teens, a population-based study comprised of youth from diverse ethnic/racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. Two cohorts of adolescents (middle school and high school) completed in-class surveys in 1999 (Time 1) and mailed surveys in 2004 (Time 2). Multiple linear regression models were used to predict mean frequency of family meals at Time 1 and Time 2 from adolescent report of parenting style (both mother and father) at Time 1. Cross-sectional analyses included both adolescent cohorts (n=4,746) and longitudinal analyses included only the younger cohort (n=806) because family meal frequency was not assessed in the older cohort at Time 2. Results Cross-sectional results for adolescent girls indicated a positive association between maternal and paternal authoritative parenting style and frequency of family meals. For adolescent boys, maternal authoritative parenting style was associated with more frequent family meals. Longitudinal results indicated that authoritative parenting style predicted higher frequency of family meals 5 years later, but only between opposite sex parent/adolescent dyads. Conclusions Future research should identify additional factors within the home environment that are associated with family meal frequency to develop effective interventions that result in increased family meals for youth. Also, future research should investigate the mealtime behaviors of authoritative parents and identify specific behaviors that dietetics practitioners and other health care providers could share with parents of adolescents to help them increase family meal frequency.

Family meals and adolescents: what have we learned from Project EAT (Eating Among Teens)?

The purpose of the present paper is to provide an integrated overview of the research methodology and key findings from a decade of research on family meals as part of Project EAT (Eating Among Teens), a large, population-based study of adolescents. Focus groups conducted with 141 middle-school and high-school adolescents suggested the importance of family meals in influencing adolescents' food choices. These findings led to the inclusion of questions on family meals in the Project EAT-I survey, completed by 4746 middle-school and high-school students, and in the Project EAT-II longitudinal survey, completed by 2516 of the original participants five years later. A subset of 902 parents also participated in telephone interviews as part of Project EAT-I. Findings indicate that many adolescents and parents view family meals in a positive light, but there is great diversity in the context and frequency of family meal patterns in the homes of adolescents. Findings further suggest that family meals may have benefits in terms of dietary intake, disordered eating behaviours, substance use and psychosocial health. Findings from Project EAT, in conjunction with other research studies on family meals, suggest the importance of working with families to increase the frequency and improve the quality of family meals. Further research is needed in order to elucidate the pathways that underpin the relationships between family meals and health outcomes. Suggestions for a future research agenda based on what was learned from Project EAT are provided.

Are Family Meal Patterns Associated with Overall Diet Quality during the Transition from Early to Middle Adolescence?

Objective To examine longitudinal associations of participation in regular family meals (≥ 5 meals/week) with eating habits and dietary intake during adolescence. Design Population-based, longitudinal study (Project EAT: Eating Among Teens). Surveys were completed in Minnesota classrooms at Time 1 (1998-1999) and by mail at Time 2 (2003-2004). Setting Baseline surveys were completed in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, schools and by mail at follow-up. Participants 677 adolescents (303 males and 374 females) who were in middle school at Time 1 (mean age = 12.8 ± 0.74 years) and high school at Time 2 (mean age = 17.2 ± 0.59 years). Main Outcome Measures Dietary intake, frequency of meals, and fast-food intake patterns. Analysis Generalized linear modeling stratified by gender and adjusted for race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and the Time 1 outcome. Results Regular family meals were positively associated with Time 2 frequency of breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals for males and breakfast and dinner meals for females. Among males, regular family meals were negatively associated with Time 2 fast-food intake. Regular family meals were also positively associated with Time 2 mean daily intakes of vegetables, calcium-rich food, fiber, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, folate, and vitamins A and B 6 among both genders. Conclusions and Implications Regular family meals during early adolescence may contribute to the formation of healthful eating habits 5 years later. Parents should be made aware of the importance of shared mealtime experiences.

Binge eating in adolescents: Its relation to behavioural problems and family-meal patterns

The aim of the study was to explore the relationship between binge eating, behavioural problems and family-meal patterns in a sample of adolescents. Two hundred and fifty-nine adolescents from a public secondary school completed the Bulimic Investigatory test, Edinburgh (BITE) [Henderson, M., & Freeman, C. P. (1987). A self-rating scale for bulimia. The “BITE”. British Journal of Psychiatry, 150, 18–24.] and the Youth Self-Report (YSR) [Achenbach, T. M. (1991). Manual for the Youth Self-Report and 1991 profile. Burlington, VT: University of Vermont.], as well as 13 additional questions regarding the eating episodes and family-meal patterns. The results show that binge eating is a frequent behaviour in adolescence with 33.2% of the sample reporting binge eating at least once in the last six months. The adolescents who reported binge eating had higher scores on most of the YSR first-order factors compared to those who do not engage in this behaviour. No differences were found in family meal patterns. Questions regarding the binge-eating episodes were also analysed making comparisons by age and gender.