Having family meals create healthier children, new study finds
According to the Canadian study, children who had routine family meals had better social skills, mental health and were more physically active than their peers who do not.
If regular family mealtimes are not a tradition in your household, you might want to rethink that.
A new Canadian study discovered that children who routinely ate meals together with their family have better social skills and fitness levels than those who don’t.
The long-term study discovered that family meals produced children who were more physically active, had better mental health and social skills, consumed fewer soft drinks and were also less likely to have behavioural problems.
“Experiencing positive forms of communication may likely help the child engage in better communication skills with people outside of the family unit,” shared co-author of the study Linda Pagani, psychoeducation professor at the University of Montreal.
The Study
The researchers in the study followed hundreds of children aged from the age of 5 months up till they were 10 years old, with parents beginning reporting on their family meals at age 6. By the time they turned 10, their parents, school teachers, and even the kids themselves provided details on their lifestyle habits and also well-being.
According to Pagani, the findings show that family meals are not only a sign of a good home environment, they are also an easy and helpful area to tap into when it comes to improving children’s well-being.
While routine family mealtimes are typically an Asian household tradition, it seems like more Singaporean families may not practise it, what with more dual-income households and increasing pressures at work.
However, with how it can boost your little one’s mental, socio-emotional, physical development and more, it’s clear that the benefits of family meal time should not be overlooked. If you haven’t already, starting making a family meal a routine in your home!
Sarah Khan
Photo: Getty Images
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