Abstract
FCS-8871, a 4-page fact sheet by Larry Forthun, summarizes recent research indicating the importance about family meals, including trends over the last several decades, effects on family togetherness, communication, well-being, and nutrition. Also discussed are family eating practices to avoid, and strategies for getting the whole family together for dinner. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, September 2008.
References
Child Trends DataBank (n.d.). Family meals. Retrieved July 25, 2008, from http://www.childtrendsdatabank.org/indicators/96FamilyMeals.cfm
Duke, M.P., Fivush, R., Lazarus, A., & Bohanek, J. (2003). Of ketchup and kin: Dinntertime conversations as a major source of family knowledge, family adjustment, and family resilience (Working Paper #26). Retrieved July 25, 2008, from http://www.marial.emory.edu/research/
Eisenberg, M.E., Olson, R.E., Neumark-Sztainer, D., Story, M., & Bearinger, L.H. (2004). Correlations between family meals and psychosocial well-being among adolescents. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 158, 792-796. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.158.8.792
Feldman, S., Eisenberg, M.E., Neumark-Sztainer, D., & Story, M. (2007). Associations between watching TV during family meals and dietary intake among adolescents. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 39, 257-263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2007.04.181
Forthun, L.F. (2008). Family nutrition: Parenting and family life. Gainesville, FL: Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Publication number: FCS8869. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FY1059.
Forthun, L.F. (2008). Family nutrition: RECIPE for good communication. Gainesville, FL: Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Publication number: FCS8670. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FY1060.
Leon, K., & Spengler, L. (2007, Sept.). Family meals. Retrieved July 25, 2008, from http://missourifamilies.org/features/parentingarticles/parenting2.htm
Lyttle, J., & Baugh, E. (2008). The importance of family dinners. Gainesville, FL: Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. FY 1054, http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FY1054.
Marino, M., & Butkus, Sue (n.d.). Background: Research on family meals. Retrieved July 25, 2008, from http://nutrition.wsu.edu/ebet/background.html
The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) (2007, Sept.). The importance of family dinners IV. Retrieved July 25, 2008, from http://www.casacolumbia.org/
National Survey of Children's Health, http://www.nschdata.org/Content/Default.aspx
Satter, E. (1987). How to get your kid to eat... but not too much. Palo Alto, CA: Bull Publishing Co.
Weinstein, M. (2005) The surprising power of family meals. Hanover, NH: Steerforth Press.