THE WELLNESS & FITNESS CENTER'S BLOG

Benefits of Eating Together

August 2, 2016, 9:00 am - Categories: Education, Health & Prevention, Nutrition

Growing up I always remember eating dinner with my family. Whether I was running around the neighborhood or at a friend’s house, I knew dinner was at 6:30pm and I needed to be home by 6:15pm. At dinner we would talk about our day, discuss what was happening in the news, or talk about the weather. After dinner we would clear the table, do the dishes, and go our separate ways again. I never realized the significance or importance of eating together was until I was grown. Now that I have a family I realize the importance of it and how hard it is to achieve in the midst of a busy life. Whether it is my daughter having her ballet class, my son’s hockey practice, or just the kids playing with their friends in the neighborhood, it seems like there is always something preventing us from sitting down together.

Did you know children are 35% less likely to develop an eating disorder and 12% less likely to be overweight if you engage in family meals? Children who eat regular family meals are more likely to eat more fruits and vegetables. They are also more likely to be healthier when they live on their own. Research also shows eating dinner together is great for the brain. Dinnertime conversations can boast younger children’s vocabulary more than being read aloud to. School-aged children who ate with their family five to seven times a week are twice as likely to get A’s in school and less likely to suffer from depression and suicidal thoughts.

I had no idea the tremendous effect eating together could have on children until I started researching it. Now that I know, I plan to make it a priority in my family’s life. As parents we do the best we can for our children and this seems like an easy thing to do which has so many rewards.

References:
Fiese, B. & Hammons, A (2011) Is frequency of shared meals related to the nutritional heath of children and adolescents? Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, 127, 1565-1574.

Fishel, A (2015) The most important thing you can do with your kids? Eat dinner with them. The Washington Post.

By: Melissa Veach, BS, NCBTMB-CMT, NATABOC Certified Athletic Trainer; Massage Therapist at Valley Health Wellness & Fitness Center