January 12th, 2011
{parenting} The Power of Family Dinner
This week I posted two pieces on Babble at The Family Kitchen about how healthy family eating relates to our children’s health. The first, “Can Healthy Eating Help Fight the Growing Eating Disorder Problem Among Young Kids?” is a reaction to the apparent rise of eating disorders among young people. Really young people. Dr. David Rosen, an eating disorder expert and professor of adolescent medicine, wrote a piece in last weekend’s LA Times in which he explained, “In 2009, the government published data that showed that kids under 12 were the fastest-growing population of patients hospitalized for eating disorders.”
The second post, “How Family Dinner Makes Your Kids Healthier” reported research showing that kids who eat regular meals with their families do better. Just better, as in overall. The data, shared in a recent Huffington Post article, specifically references eating disorders:
“They [children who share regular meals with parents] are 42 percent less likely to drink, 50 percent less likely to smoke and 66 percent less like to smoke marijuana. Regular family dinners protect girls from bulimia, anorexia, and diet pills. Family dinners also reduce the incidence of childhood obesity. In a study on household routines and obesity in U.S. preschool-aged children, it was shown that kids as young as four have a lower risk of obesity if they eat regular family dinners, have enough sleep, and don’t watch TV on weekdays.”
Organizing family dinner can be a serious challenge, especially if, like me, your kids are still young and eat dinner early. And then there’s the matter of the grownups in a family trying to stay connected. I imagine that being a healthy, happy couple is just as important to our children, and that means eating dinner without them sometimes. But I’d bet that the family dinner in this research is an indicator of something more. Maybe healthier meals? A family connected? Opportunities for kids and their grownups to reach out to each other?
My guess is that if these things are in place, plus a handful of regular family meals—whether breakfast, dinner, dessert or tea time—our children reap the benefits. Throw healthy foods into the mix and a joyous attitude towards all whole foods in moderation (that’s right, folks, let’s not send messages like we need processed diet foods to enjoy a cookie every once and a while!) and I’d say we’re doing what we can to help our kids develop a healthy attitude towards food.
Of course, there are other factors: genetics, a psychological component and more, I’m sure. But isn’t that the case with all parenting? There’s only so much we can control and influence. The rest is up to, well, I’m not sure who, but I know it ain’t all completely me.
Do you believe that the way you feed yourself and your family has a significant impact on your children’s health?
* Can Healthy Eating Help Fight the Growing Eating Disorder Problem Among Young Kids?
* How Family Dinner Makes Your Kids Healthier
Photo: Corbis photography/Veer
« Previous Post
{food for thought} Is Fluoridated Water Safe?5 Responses
Leave a Reply
Introducing Solids & Feeding Baby
Holiday Cooking
Halloween Treats
Back-to-School
Gift Guide
Valentine's Day
-
Most Popular this Month
-
Recipe Box
My husband and I have definitely noticed that our daughter does better at eating her dinner (& especially the parts that are vegetable, new or multi-component) when either of us is sitting at the table with her – the “better” increases if we’re both there and peaks if we are also eating that food. Great to see that data is coming that supports our anecdotal experience.
I firmly believe that the way I choose to eat, cook and therefore feed our family will have a positive impact on our daughter’s overall health. That is why we not only sit down together every night for dinner but also why we eat the same thing. What has been so gratifying for me as of late is when dinner is finally being served, my soon to be 3yr old daughter screams with delight “YEAHHH dinner!!!”. Makes me just beam inside.
Great articles-thanks for sharing.
Family meals are so important for our children and a priority in our home. Everyone joins in the process to make it an event. As soon as I announce that it’s time to get ready for dinner, just like Rosie said, mine coming running yelling “woohoo…dinner time” and sometimes argue over who’s going to set the table. It’s awesome.
My four year old loves to set the table and thinks she’s such a big girl to take the plated meals to the table. During dinner we always play the high/low game where everyone shares their high and low moments from the day and we talk about them. It gives me insights into the more important or challenging part of their day that I wouldn’t normally hear about.
We all share in the clean up so that we can quickly get to a family game or some other activity before bedtime. There’s critical lessons my kids are learning that go beyond the healthy food we serve: teamwork, collaboration, independence, sharing, communication..the list goes on.
Simply put, the kitchen table is the altar of our family home. It’s the place where we revive our hearts and souls, reconnect with each other and revisit our day and what we hope to accomplish/experience tomorrow. Sharing a meal as a family is not just important but absolutely necessary. It’s the most precious time that our family spends together.
I have a bit of a rebellious moment every time I read about HOW IMPORTANT FAMILY DINNER IS. I just don’t appreciate the added pressure on parents who are already subjected to so much well meaning advice from parenting experts. I put so much energy into feeding my family. But our eating routines can be a little fast and loose sometimes. I’d rather be relaxed in the moment and do what works than get all stressed out because my family isn’t breaking bread together every night of the week. That’s just me though.