Family meal patterns: Associations with sociodemographic characteristics and improved dietary intake among adolescents

doi:10.1053/jada.2003.50048

Journal of the American Dietetic Association

Volume 103, Issue 3, March 2003, Pages 317-322

https://doi.org/10.1053/jada.2003.50048 Get rights and content

Abstract

Objective To examine family meal patterns and associations with sociodemographic characteristics and dietary intake in adolescents. Design A population-based cross-sectional study design was employed. Adolescents completed the Project EAT (Eating Among Teens) survey and the Youth and Adolescent Food Frequency Questionnaire within their schools. Subjects/setting The study population included 4,746 middle and high school students from Minneapolis/St. Paul public schools with diverse racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. Statistical analyses Associations were examined using cross tabulations, log-linear modeling, and linear regressions. Results There was a wide distribution in the frequency of family meals during the previous week: never (14.0%), 1 or 2 times (19.1%), 3 to 6 times (40.1%), and 7 or more times (24.8%). Sociodemographic characteristics associated with more frequent family meals included gender (boys), school level (middle school), race (Asian American), mother's employment status (not employed), and socioeconomic status (high). Frequency of family meals was positively associated with intake of fruits, vegetables, grains, and calcium-rich foods and negatively associated with soft drink consumption. Positive associations were also seen between frequency of family meals and energy; protein (percentage of total calories); calcium; iron; folate; fiber; and vitamins A, C, E, and B-6. Conclusions Family meals appear to play an important role in promoting positive dietary intake among adolescents. Feasible ways to increase the frequency of family meals should be explored with adolescents and their families. J Am Diet Assoc. 2003;103:317-322.

Section snippets

Study sample

The overall study population included 4,746 adolescents from 31 public middle schools and high schools from urban and suburban school districts in the St. Paul/Minneapolis area of Minnesota. Schools/school districts serving socioeconomically and ethnically diverse communities were invited to participate in the study. Participants were equally divided by gender (50.2% boys, 49.8% girls). The mean age of the sample was 14.9 years (range=11 to 18 years); 34.3% were in middle school and 65.7% in

Frequency of family meals

On average, adolescents reported eating meals with ″all or most” of their family living in their homes 4.5 times (SD=3.3) in the past week. Frequency of family meals during the week was as follows: never (14.0%, n=650), 1 or 2 times (19.1%, n=884), 3 or 4 times (21.5%, n=997), 5 or 6 times (18.6%, n=860), 7 times (8.8%, n=407), and more than 7 times (18.0%, n=833).

Family meals by sociodemographic characteristics

Frequency of family meals was compared across sociodemographic characteristics (Table 1).Girls tended to report fewer family meals

Discussion

Findings from this study indicate that there is wide variability in family meal patterns, both across and within sociodemographic strata. The findings also demonstrate strong associations between family meal patterns and dietary intake: youths consuming more meals with their families reported healthier dietary intakes.

Family meals are clearly not extinct; a relatively high percentage of youths reported frequent family meals. Nevertheless, one third of the respondents reported eating with their

Applications

■Dietitians and other healthcare providers working with adolescents and their families need to assess family meal patterns and, when indicated, explore realistic ways for increasing the frequency of family meals, taking into account family dynamics and schedules. In addition to discussing family meals within clinic visits, discussions about family meals can be incorporated into talks given within schools and other community-based settings. It may be helpful for parents of adolescents to know

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Ultra-processed food accounted for 67.6% of total caloric intake. In adjusted models, children's UPF intake was positively associated with increasing child age, greater hours watching television, and more frequent parent soda/fast-food intake. Ultra-processed food intake was negatively associated with higher parent education and reported race/ethnicity other than non-Hispanic White. There was no association between UPF intake and weight.
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^☆: This study was supported by grant MCJ-270834 (D. Neumark-Sztainer, principal investigator) from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (Title V, Social Security Act), Health Resources and Service Administration, and the US Department of Health and Human Services.

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Family meal patterns: Associations with sociodemographic characteristics and improved dietary intake among adolescents☆

Abstract

Section snippets

Study sample

Frequency of family meals

Family meals by sociodemographic characteristics

Discussion

Applications

J Nutr Educ

J Nutr Educ

Prev Med

J Am Diet Assoc

J Nutr Educ

J Nutr Educ

J Am Diet Assoc

J Am Diet Assoc

Family dinner and diet quality among older children and adolescents

Arch Fam Med

Classification and regression trees

Critical evaluation of energy intake data using fundamental principles of energy physiology: 1. Derivation of cut-off limits to identify under-recording

Eur J Clin Nutr

Bioenergetics and Growth

Energy: Caloric requirements