Frequency Of Family Mealtimes Research Articles

Protective role of family mealtime frequency against disordered eating behaviors: Racial and ethnic differences

Family mealtimes have been recognized for their positive effect on child and adolescent health outcomes. Frequent family meals have been shown to have protective effects in reducing disordered eating behaviors, but the variability of these effects across different racial and ethnic backgrounds has been less explored. To address the gap, the current study utilizes a sample of 33,417 families with children (ages 6–17) in the United States who participated in the 2022 National Surveys of Children's Health (NSCH). Logistic regressions were conducted to examine the association between family mealtime frequency and the manifestation of disordered eating across youth from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds. Our findings revealed that frequent family mealtimes are associated with a lower risk of engaging in disordered eating behaviors in youth. However, there were disparities in the associations between family mealtime frequency and the prevalence of disordered eating behaviors among children from different racial/ethnic backgrounds. Youth who never participated in family mealtimes were at a greater risk of engaging in disordered eating behaviors among those identifying as non-Hispanic Black or of ‘other’ racial groups. In youth identifying with multiple races, the frequency of family was not associated with the odds of disordered eating behaviors. The results provide insights into the nuanced influence of family mealtime frequency on disordered eating based on diverse racial/ethnic groups. This highlights the need for future studies to identify factors associated with racial/ethnic identities that may contribute to disordered eating behaviors in youth to identify the unique needs and challenges faced by families in leveraging the protective effect of family mealtimes.

Frequency of family mealtimes in foster and kinship families

Eating meals as a family is connected to positive mental and physical health of children and parents. However, studies in this area are limited to families with biological parents as caregivers. This ignores millions of children in foster and kinship families, many of whom have experienced trauma and may benefit from consistent mealtimes. Using a merger of the 2017–2019 National Survey of Children’s Health, we examined the frequency of family meals between a random sample of children living with a biological parent and those living with foster and kinship families (n = 81,562). We also explored predictors, including child special healthcare needs, of more frequent mealtimes for children living with foster and kinship families (n = 3,358). Results showed that 79 % of foster families ate together most days of the week, and that biological and kin families ate together less frequently. Interaction effects showed foster families caring for children with special needs were at 2.8 greater odds of more frequent mealtimes than children with special needs in kin or grandparent families. Further research is needed to explore how foster parents create the time and space to eat consistent meals, and how those strategies translate to families in the general population.

The effect of adverse childhood experiences on family mealtime frequency: Examining racial and ethnic differences.

Eating meals as a family is associated with multiple positive nutritional and emotional outcomes for parents and children. Although the benefits of mealtimes extend to all families, families of color and those in poverty face disproportional barriers to eating frequent meals together. No previous study has properly attended to the heterogeneity of racial and ethnic groups in the United States when assessing mealtime barriers. Focusing on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), our analyses tested whether an increased number of adversities, and particular types of adversities, were associated with a decrease in mealtime frequency for different racial/ethnic families in the United States. Utilizing a large, nationally representative sample of families (n = 59,963), results showed that higher cumulative ACE scores reduced the number of days a family eats meals together in a given week. For specific ACE items, seven out of nine individual ACE items were associated with decreased mealtimes (excluding parental death and racial discrimination). Stratification resulted in varied associations between accumulated and individual ACE items and mealtime frequency depending on racial/ethnic group. Asian families in particular had greater odds of infrequent meals than other families, while Native American, Alaskan Native, Pacific Islander, and other racial/ethnic families were unaffected by increased ACEs. Results indicate that a family's accumulation of multiple adversities may impede mealtimes by either forcing families to prioritize the management of other stressors or by depleting the physical and mental resources needed to establish a routine. Focusing on family cultural traditions as protective factors may be an area of future intervention. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

FAMILY MEALTIME AND ITS CORRELATION WITH DEPRESSIVE DISORDER

Introduction: Family mealtimes provide an opportunity for healthy interaction among the members of a family. A decrease in mental health disorders has been reported with the increasing frequency of family meals. Objective: Our cross-sectional study aimed to assess the frequency of the depressive disorder in medical students of Karachi and investigate its relationship with family mealtime frequency. This study will help raise awareness about the significance of family connectedness and its relation to depressive disorder. Design: This study analyzed 376 males and females. A self-administered proforma formulated from the literature review, and PHQ-9 scale was used to assess family dynamics and depressive disorder respectively. Place and Duration of Study: The study took place in Karachi from September 2019 to April 2020. Methodology: Proforma was circulated online using the snowball sampling technique. Students who were non-consenting, married, hostel residents, already diagnosed with depressive disorder, taking any psychotropic drugs, or witnessed any emotional trauma within the last one month were excluded. The data was evaluated using IBM SPSS Statistics v20. Results: Overall 93.9% of students showed depressive disorder of various severities. A significant relationship was found between family mealtime frequency and depressive disorder with a p-value of 0.025. Conclusion: Findings suggest that family mealtimes may have a positive influence on mental health disorders and can serve as a milieu for intrafamilial bonding, thus lowering the depressive scores and enhancing mental health.

Family mealtime against adolescents’ drinking, drug use, and other risk behaviours. Then and now.

During adolescence, the frequency of family meals may play an important role in both counteracting risk behaviours (e.g., drugs and alcohol use, delinquency, etc.) and in promoting healthy life-styles. Objective. The aim of the present review is to chronologically order and discuss evidence supporting or disconfirming family mealtime’s effectiveness against adolescents‘ risk behaviours. Method. The present work integrated two search-strategies: scientific databanks strategies and retrospective research on sources. Inter-rater quality assessment was applied to obtain three clusters of literature; pioneering studies about nutritional habits, last decades’ evidence, and challenges for future research. Results. Effectiveness of family mealtime in preventing adolescents’ risk behaviours and in promoting healthy lifestyles and positive outcomes is discussed. Conclusions. Open theoretical and methodological questions emerged such as the lack of scientific consensus on how to measure the family mealtime frequency or the need to provide qualitative assessments about the family mealtime experience, among others.

Family mealtime negativity and adolescent binge-eating: A replication and extension study in a community sample

ObjectiveTo explore differences in family mealtime characteristics and family mealtime emotions among adolescents who report engaging in binge-eating in comparison to those who do not. MethodAdolescents (N = 495) recruited from UK schools/colleges reported on their family mealtime frequency and atmosphere, family mealtime emotions, anxiety, depression and eating psychopathology. ResultsNo significant differences were found between adolescents who reported binge-eating (n = 32 boys; n = 82 girls) and those who did not (n = 196 boys; n = 185 girls) on family mealtime frequency or mealtime atmosphere scores. However, boys and girls who binge-eat reported significantly lower levels of positive family mealtime emotions and significantly higher levels of family mealtime anxiety and anger (girls only), compared with their peers who did not report binge-eating. DiscussionAdolescents who binge-eat experience significantly greater negative emotional responses to family mealtimes than their peers. Further research should explore why these experiences are more negative, including broader familial factors and interactions.

Associations between father availability, mealtime distractions and routines, and maternal feeding responsiveness: An observational study.

Responsive feeding and frequency of family mealtimes are related to healthier eating behaviors and weight outcomes in children and adolescents. Distractions at mealtimes are related to greater intake of unhealthy food and a less positive mealtime emotional climate. However, there is little understanding of the effects of routines and father availability on distractions at family meals, and there is limited research investigating the effects of distractions among all family members on maternal feeding practices in toddlerhood. This study aims to characterize distractions at family mealtimes and examine associations between father availability, distractions, and observed responsive feeding. Descriptive analyses, nonlinear mixed models, and path analyses were conducted using observational (home-based family mealtimes) and self-report data collected from a subsample of families (n = 109) of 18- to 24-month-old children in the larger STRONG Kids 2 Study (N = 468). Between fathers, mothers, and children, families spent almost half of the mealtime distracted. Fathers and mothers engaged in about equal amounts of distractions, and children engaged in more technology-related distractions than parents. Fathers' absence at the mealtime was associated with more child distractions and less maternal feeding responsiveness. Lower paternal total distractions, maternal non-technology-object-related distractions, and higher household income were significantly associated with more observed maternal feeding responsiveness. Future research should investigate how father availability and family mealtime distractions may be associated directly and indirectly with children's eating behaviors and weight outcomes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

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)

Abstract Objectives The 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. Methods A 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. Results Of 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. Conclusions Parental 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 Sources Supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2012-68001-22032.

Family Mealtime Frequency and the Effects on Family Member Health and Well-Being: A Systematic Review

Abstract Date Presented 4/19/2018 A systematic review was conducted to determine the influence of family meals on the health and well-being of family members. Results suggest that increased family meal frequency is associated with improved health and well-being outcomes for family members. Primary Author and Speaker: Lauren Lange Additional Authors and Speakers: Emily Katz, Karla Ausderau

The Association between Family Mealtime and Depression in Elderly Koreans.

BackgroundSeveral studies have revealed the frequency of family mealtimes to be inversely associated with depressive symptoms in adolescents. However, there have been few studies in older populations. This cross-sectional study investigated the association between family mealtime frequency and depressive symptoms in elderly Koreans.MethodsThis study analyzed 4,959 elderly men and women (aged 65 years or older) who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Self-administered questionnaires were used to assess depressive status, family mealtime frequency, and covariates. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association using the eating alone group as a reference.ResultsAfter adjusting for all covariates, participants who had family meals 3 times a day had fewer depressive symptoms than the eating alone group; adjusted odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) were 0.72 (0.58– 0.89) for point depressiveness/anxiety and 0.73 (0.56–0.94) for depressiveness lasting for at least 2 weeks. In suicidal ideation, the OR (95% CI) of eating with family twice a day was significant after full adjusting for covariates at 0.67 (0.50–0.88).ConclusionFamily mealtimes were closely associated with depressive symptoms in elderly Koreans, which suggests that maintaining intrafamilial bonding is important for mental health in an older population.

Determinants of Family Mealtime Frequency for Fathers with their Children

This study recognizes the changes of the father’s role and the importance of family mealtimes as well as examines the individual, family and social contexts surrounding the father’s family mealtime. This study analyzed the trend of the father’s family mealtime frequency and factors affecting them in order to explore the current conditions of their father’s work and family balance through family mealtimes. Data from 492 fathers who have school aged children were collected through an online survey. The overall trend of the frequency of father’s family meals showed an average of 2.4 breakfasts and an average of 3.2 dinners per week. The frequency of the father’s family meals showed statistically significant differences according to the father’s age, children’s school age, dual income, weekly working hours, working flexibility, leaving on-time and the priority of work and family. The analysis of hierarchical linear regressions was conducted to determine factors affecting the frequency of father’s family mealtime to show that the frequency of father’s family mealtime was best explained by father’s working conditions and perception variables. Working conditions such as working hours, leaving work on time, working flexibility were significant variables in regards to the father’s family mealtime frequency. The father’s perception towards parental efficacy, wife’s support, and work-family priority were significant factors in regards to the father’s family mealtime frequency. This study is meaningful in that it provides basic data on policy making for the compatibility of the father’s work and family. Keywords: father, father participation, family mealtime, work and family balance

Family Mealtimes and Family Functioning

ABSTRACTThis study contributes to the existing research literature by assessing how the frequency of family mealtimes correlates with family communication and life satisfaction. Participants consisted of 50 families from the Southeastern United States. Parent and child participants completed measures assessing frequency of family mealtime, family communication, and family satisfaction. Results indicated that, based on parent-report, the frequency of all family members eating dinner together was significantly and positively correlated with both family communication and family satisfaction. Implications of findings highlight the importance of encouraging regular mealtime interactions among families.

Family Meal Frequency, Practices, and BMI of Mothers of Preschoolers

Family mealtimes (FM) are important mediators of diet and weight, yet little is known about FM practices of households with preschool children and factors that mediate FM frequency. A sample of 550 mothers of preschoolers reported mother and child height and weight; FM frequency, location, importance, and atmosphere; time/energy for FM; family conflict and cohesion; general household organization; and family support for healthy behaviors. Children's mean BMI percentile=66.16+32.78SD. Mother's mean BMI=27.69+7.90. Most families (93%) shared >7 meals/week; 1% never had FMs. Most FMs were at the kitchen/dining room table (4.69+2.5 days/week), and fewer in front of TV, at fast food restaurants, or in cars. Most reported a positive FM environment in their homes and felt they had a lot of time & energy to share FMs. Mothers reported little family conflict, moderate household disorganization and high family support for healthy behaviors. ANOVA and post-hoc tests indicated children in families with the lowest quartile of FM (<10/week) tended to have higher BMI percentiles than those in the highest quartile (>15/week; p=0.09). FM frequency was not associated with mother's BMI but was significantly positively correlated with eating meals in the kitchen/dining room more often, placing higher importance on FM, positive FM atmospheres and more time and energy for FM. Frequency of FM was significantly negatively correlated with family conflict and household disorganization. FM were associated with healthier child BMI percentiles and maternal attitudes and practices were associated with greater FM frequency. Promoting FM benefits to parents, encouraging positive mealtime environments & emphasizing planning skills to facilitate more frequent FMs could promote healthier child BMIs. USDA NIFA #2011-68001-30170

Combating child obesity: impact of HENRY on parenting and family lifestyle

One-quarter of children in England are overweight/obese at school entry. We investigated the impact of a programme designed to provide parents of infants and preschool children with the skills required for a healthier family lifestyle. A cohort of families was followed across the 8-week HENRY (Health Exercise Nutrition for the Really Young) parent course at nine locations in England. Seventy-seven parents enrolled on the course, of which 71 agreed to complete questionnaires addressing eating behaviours, dietary intake and parental self-efficacy. Pre- and post-course data was available from 60 (84.5%) parents (8-week follow-up data from 58 parents) and was analysed using repeated measures analyses. Significant changes were observed, with most sustained at follow-up. Parents reported increased self-efficacy and ability to encourage good behaviour (P < 0.001). Increased consumption of fruits and vegetables was reported in both children and adults, together with reduced consumption of sweets, cakes and fizzy drinks in adults (all P < 0.01). There were also positive changes in eating behaviours (e.g., frequency of family mealtimes and eating while watching television or in response to negative emotion [P < 0.01] ) and reduced screen time in adults (P < 0.001). The results build upon earlier evaluation, indicating that the HENRY intervention has a beneficial impact upon the families of infants and preschool children. Furthermore, the findings suggest that positive changes inspired by the programme can be maintained beyond its completion. Such changes may serve to protect against later obesity.

가족식사 및 가족기능이 초기 청소년의 학교적응에 미치는 영향

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of family mealtime and family functioning (family cohesion, family adaptability, and communication with father and mother) on early adolescent school adaptation. Data of 3,145 middle school students from the Survey on the Family Values and Lives among Adolescents(2010) conducted by National Youth Policy Institute(NYPI) were used. The findings are as follows. First, there were significant differences in the frequency of having breakfast and dinner with father and having breakfast with mother, family cohesion, and communication with father according to gender. Second, hierarchical linear regression analyses revealed that household economic status, mother's employment status and adolescents' gender among demographic characteristics, having breakfast with father and having dinner with mother in family mealtime frequency, and all the variables of family functioning predicted adolescents' school adaptation. Finally, economic status, having dinner with mother, family cohesion, and communication with father and mother were associated with adolescents' school adaptation for both boys and girls. Mother's education and having breakfast with father were found to be significant for only boys, while mother's employment status and family adaptability were found to be significant for only girls. These findings could provide grounds for making family and education policy.

Characteristics of Family Mealtimes Affecting Children's Vegetable Consumption and Liking

Research has documented an association between family mealtimes and higher dietary quality in school-aged children and adolescents. However, there is little understanding of the specific characteristics of mealtimes that are beneficial and a lack of research with preschool-aged children. This cross-sectional study conducted in the United Kingdom in 2008 examined associations between mealtime characteristics and preschoolers' vegetable consumption and liking. Four hundred and thirty-four primary caregivers of children aged 2 to 5 years reported on children's vegetable intake and liking and completed a questionnaire on frequency of family meals, food preparation, and the social and environmental context of family mealtimes. Univariate and multiple linear regression analyses assessed mealtime variables and children's vegetable intake and liking. Multiple regression analysis revealed children's vegetable consumption was predicted by eating approximately the same food as their parents (β=.14; P≤0.01), using ready-made sauces (β=−.12; P≤0.05), and cooking from scratch (β=.11; P≤0.05), accounting for 21% of the variance (with covariates). Children's liking for vegetables was predicted by eating approximately the same food as their parents (β=.15; P≤0.01) and use of preprepared dishes (β=−.15; P≤0.01), accounting for 8% of the variance (with covariates). Frequency of family mealtimes was unrelated to children's vegetable consumption or liking in this sample. This contrasts with findings in older children and adolescents, where frequency of family mealtimes is related to dietary quality and intake. In preschool-aged children, it seems emphasis should be placed on encouraging parents to provide home-cooked meals that mirror those eaten by the adults in the family to improve vegetable intake.

RECLAIMING THE FAMILY TABLE: MEALTIMES AND CHILD HEALTH AND WELLBEING

SOCIAL POLICY REPORT GIVING CHILD AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT KNOWLEDGE AWAY Volume XXII, Number IV 2008 While lasting only twenty minutes, on average, family mealtimes are embedded in a social, cultural, and economic context that are associated with a variety of indicators of children’s health and wellbeing. Shared family mealtimes have been associated with such diverse outcomes as reduced risk for substance abuse, promotion of language development, academic achievement, and reduced risk for pediatric obesity. This social policy report provides a brief overview of current research suggesting that frequency of family mealtimes, family climate during shared mealtimes, environmental and policy infl uences on family food choice are related directly and indirectly with children’s health

The Relationship of Family Stability and Family Mealtime Frequency with Bulimia Symptomatology

The present study extended previous research reporting an association between frequency of family mealtimes and bulimia nervosa by exploring whether family mealtimes might be a component of a larger construct of family stability. One hundred thirty-four female undergraduates completed retrospective measures of family stability, frequency of shared family mealtimes, and a measure of bulimia symptomatology. Results indicate that family stability is a more comprehensive predictor of bulimia symptomatology than meal frequency alone. Implications for intervention and treatment options are discussed.

Television Watching and Frequency of Family Meals Are Predictive of Overweight Onset and Persistence in a National Sample of School-Aged Children

Objective To identify eating and activity factors associated with school-aged children’s onset of overweight and persistent overweight. Design Data were gathered at four time points between kindergarten entry and spring of third grade. Children were directly weighed and measured and categorized as not overweight (<95th percentile of body mass index) or overweight (≥95th percentile body mass index); parents were interviewed by telephone or in person. Subjects/Setting Subjects were participants in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study–Kindergarten Cohort, a nationally representative sample of children who entered kindergarten during 1998-1999. Children who weighed <2,000 g at birth, received therapeutic services before kindergarten, skipped or repeated a grade, or without complete height and weight data were excluded, resulting in 8,459 participants. Children with intermittent overweight were not examined (n=459); analyses addressed 8,000 children. Main Outcome Measures Three mutually exclusive groups of children were identified: never overweight, overweight onset, and persistent overweight. Statistical Analyses Performed Multilevel, multivariate logistic regression analyses estimated the effects of eating and activity factors on the odds of overweight onset and persistent overweight above child sex, race, and family socioeconomic status. Results Children who watched more television (odds ratio [OR] 1.02) and ate fewer family meals (OR 1.08) were more likely to be overweight for the first time at spring semester of third grade. Children who watched more television (OR 1.03), ate fewer family meals (OR 1.08), and lived in neighborhoods perceived by parents as less safe for outdoor play (OR 1.32) were more likely to be persistently overweight. Child aerobic exercise and opportunities for activity were not associated with a greater likelihood of weight problems. Conclusions This study supports theories regarding the contributions of television watching, family meals, and neighborhood safety to childhood weight status. When working with families to prevent and treat childhood weight problems, food and nutrition professionals should attend to children’s time spent with screen media, the frequency of family mealtimes, and parents’ perceptions of neighborhood safety for children’s outdoor play.