Share Family Meals By Dr. Deborah Goebert, Professor, University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine
The COVID pandemic has shown us how important it is to spend time together as a family. Decades of research tell us that families that share meals together are healthier and have better well-being. The benefits increase with every meal, so the more times you can gather as a family, the better. When kids eat with their families, they are more likely to: • Have better mental health, including less depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation; • Resist negative peer pressure, have less substance abuse, teen pregnancy, and school behavioral problems;
• Have a closer relationship with their siblings and parents; • Have a better body image, lower obesity rates, fewer eating disorders; and • Do better in school.
Eating together three to four times a week results in positive trends in a child’s nutritional and emotional health. For teens, five to seven meals a week lead to the most significant benefits. Family meals don’t always have to be a home-cooked dinner. They can be a picnic lunch, beach bbq, a breakfast buffet, a pizza and game night, or other simple ways to enjoy a meal together, like gathering for a snack. Remember, it’s not so much about the food served, but the family interactions and bonding during your meal. The idea is to create a structured time to share and talk about the day in a fun, nonjudgmental environment. Every time families enjoy a meal, it creates another opportunity to connect. Strong family connections keep youth healthier and happier.
www.keikitocareer.org
Holiday Spring 2021 2020
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