Family Meals Boost Children’s Health – Especially When the TV is Off

Looking for ways to connect with your children and help them be healthier? Sharing meals together and turning off the television during your meals are two ways for parents to encourage their children to make healthier food choices, maintain a healthy weight, and share family interests and values.

The importance of family meals and limited the amount of time children spend watching TV have received a lot of attention recently, especially in light of growing concerns about childhood obesity.

Studies conducted at the University of Minnesota, Harvard and Rutgers found that the more often adolescents ate family meals with their parents, the more likely they were to eat fruits, vegetables and calcium-rich foods such as milk, and the less likely they were to drink sweetened beverages such as soda. When the television was off during family meals, adolescents are more dark green/yellow vegetables and calcium-rich foods, and fewer sweetened beverages than when the television was turned on.

We also know that children who are overweight spend more time watching TV than children who are not overweight. Not only are children inactive while watching television, but they also are being exposed to persuasive and advertisements for high fat, high sugar foods.

Research has shown that young children who eat with other family members tend to eat more from the basic food groups such as fruits and vegetables. Young children are much more likely to eat vegetables when they see mom or dad eating vegetables.

With today’s busy lifestyles, it can be difficult to find time to eat together. Plan for at least one meal together as a family each week, and try not to let other things interfere. Some families find it’s easier to eat breakfast together than other meals during the day. Other families find weekends to be the best times. Show that family meals are important by turning off the television and cell phones.

Source: Gayle Coleman, UW-Extension Nutrition Education Program Specialist