Eat With Your Kids
Fresh-squeezed research from the Cold-Toe state (Minnesota, sigh) says that eating family dinners five times a week or more drops a girl’s risk of an eating disorder significantly. And the results go well beyond adolescence:
“Adolescent girls who frequently eat meals with their families appear less likely to use diet pills, laxatives, or other extreme measures to control their weight five years later, according to research led by Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, lead investigator of Project Eating Among Teens (ProjectEAT) at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health.”
This is a huge effect, especially considering that eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. It is presumed that girls benefit from the emotional closeness that comes from eating together as well as seeing appropriate eating modeled. Sadly, the findings did not hold true for boys. (Which just goes to show we need more research into male eating disorders, instead of assuming they follow the same pathology as female.)
And NOT With Your Television
People who eat with the TV on are more likely to be obese and have a higher risk for diabetes but beyond the health issues, I think it’s more about what you are not doing if the TV is on: talking.
Dinnertime was sacred at my home growing up. In fact, I remember having a play rehersal one night and my father bringing the entire family to the theater to have dinner with me (of course I was mortified, I was 14). But I have great memories of my family from those evening get togethers. It was where I tried out new words and new ideas. Where I first practiced public speaking (I have 3 sibs – that counts, right??). Where I first learned about nuclear proliferation. And what my dad’s actual job title was. And when my sister got her first kiss. And my brother got asked to prom after dunking the poor girl in ice water (love is strange, I guess!).
I never realized until I was a mother how hard it is to cook something healthy, get the table set with actual dishes (much less something like a centerpiece or, you know, napkins), and then get everyone to sit down at the table at the same time. When it works, I consider it a feat on par with running a six-minute mile. It’s doable but boy howdy, it takes a lot of work! I’m pretty much comatose after dinnertime, which is how all the dishes are often still sitting on the table come breakfast the next morning…
But it is so worth it. You and your kids will be healthier and your relationships will be stronger. And if you let your kids cook and set the table, I guarantee there will also be laughter. Bring on the family mealtime!
It’s so true! And I find that my kids eat much better when we all eat together around the table. It’s worth all the work!
Amen BABY! Very fond memories of dinner growing up! My dad is a veternarian so our dinner converstaions often involved discussion of castrations, puss, fecal matter and the like – but hey, we were all together. I had a pretty tough stomach back then! Just like to give a little shoutout or plug for my favorite cookbook. It’s called Saving Dinner by Leanne Ely. Not only does she provide relatively healthy and easy to prepare entre ideas she also gives you the side dishes in addition to your shopping list for the week. It doesn’t get any easier!
Sadly I’m guilty of NOT doing this. Despite the tradition of family meals in my culture, I have NOT done this since time immemorial. I do applaud all of you – charlotte, lisa and gretchen – for keeping this praiseworthy, almost universal practice alive. For me, it started off with busy schedule since my early teens – overload of homeworks etc. Then, in addition to that, I did volunteer social work, which took up my remaining time. So, I could never find the time to sit together and dine as a family. Sad, isn’t it? But as my friend always say, what’s important is you realize it and start now. 😀 Thnks for the reminder, Charlotte.
Fascinating! But I do find it important to point out: Family dinners are dandy in a happy, loving home. At my house, family meals meant screaming, yelling, and worse. I think they actually contributed to my eating disorder, which I have thankfully overcome. I am sure they did not help my digestive problems, either!
Just wanted to point out that family dinner is not a sweet, wonderful experience if your father is alcoholic and abusive … So maybe these studies need to look at more kinds of families.
Gretchen – We had some pretty graphic convos as well. My mom is a public health nurse and my dad is… a hippie. Never dull though, right?
K – you make a really good point. I’m so sorry that your home was so chaotic. ED’s often stem from an attempt to control the uncontrollable so I can totally see how that would have affected you. Hopefully you can start a new tradition with yourself:)
Bob – There’s always tomorrow! And hey, it’s not like I’m perfect at this. Half the time it’s just one step away from a food fight and I wonder (as I hide under the table) why I bother:)