Family Mealtime Practice

No one can deny that enjoying family mealtime around a dinner table is a good practice, not to mention an enjoyable part of a long day. But I just learned from Dr. Holly Phillips on a morning news show about a new study that video-recorded family mealtimes of 120 families with children for 8 days. The researchers found that having certain criteria at mealtime may reduce the likelihood of childhood obesity. I believe these criteria are worth noting and applying to any meal, and to people at any age. 

The study looked at how long meals lasted, how many members of the family were present, the location of the meal, and if parents pre-plated their children's meals. Kids were more likely to be overweight if the meals were shorter than 20 minutes, if they ate anywhere other than the kitchen or dining area, or if a father figure was not present at the meal. Furthermore, negative interactions, or dinner conversation that was hostile, during mealtime correlated with kids eating more food, while positive interactions during mealtime, were more likely to have people of normal weight. 

The researchers also looked at the amount of time and if electronic devices (such as television, cell phone, computer, or handheld games) were a factor. What they found was the amount of time taken for the meal was much more important than whether or not an electronic device was present and used. In 61% of the homes that participated, electronic devices were used during mealtime. However, the electronic devices were not found to be an independent risk factor. It was the amount of time that was significant. Having dinner for at least 20 minutes made the most notable difference, even if there was an electronic device in use. 

In general, if the goal is to keep the people in your home at a normal weight, based on this study, sit down at a kitchen or dining room table during mealtime, make sure all family members present, keep the dinner conversation positive, and allow for at least 20 minutes at the dinner table. Bon appetit!