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Eating with the Family Leads to
Healthy Eating Habits
Researchers from Harvard Medical School have found a
correlation between eating dinner as a family and healthier eating habits among
adolescents. Researchers surveyed over 16,000 adolescents between the ages of nine and 14
years. They found the healthiest eating habits in those who said they join their families
for dinner regularly. These adolescents ate more fruits and vegetables, and their diets
contained higher levels of fiber, calcium, iron and essential vitamins. They also found
that these adolescents consumed fewer amounts of saturated fat, fried food and soda.
Authors of the study say, "One way that eating
family dinner could improve diet quality is that family dinners contain foods that are
more healthful than children and adolescents would otherwise eat."
Researchers conclude that adolescents who did not sit
down to family meals ate more, unhealthy, ready-to-eat dinners. Eating together is also
linked with improved school and psychological performance. They found that as children get
older, they are less likely to sit down to a family dinner. The study showed that children
and adolescents who sat down to a family dinner every day had the healthiest of eating
habits. |
