Exploration of parent-reported family meal dinner characteristics to inform a definition of family meals

Prevalence of daily family meals among children and adolescents from 43 countries

Prevalence studies about family meals, including large and representative samples of children and adolescents on this topic, are scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was twofold: first, to determine the prevalence of daily family meals in large and representative samples of school-going children and adolescents from 43 countries, and second, to identify the sex, age, socioeconomic status (SES), family structure, immigrant status and parental labour market status inequalities associated with this prevalence. Using data from the 2017/2018 wave of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study, a total of 179,991 participants from 43 countries were involved in this cross-sectional study. Family meals were assessed by the following question: 'How often do you and your family usually have meals together?'. Participants had five different response options: 'every day', 'most days', 'about once a week', 'less often', and 'never'. The meta package was utilized for conducting a meta-analysis of single proportions, specifically applying the metaprop function. The analysis involved pooling the data using a random-effects model and presenting the outcomes through a forest plot generated using the inverse variance method. Moreover, we applied generalized linear mixed models to explore the relationships between the studied sociodemographic factors as fixed effects, country as a random effect and the status of daily family meals as an outcome. Overall, the prevalence of daily family meals was 49.12% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 45.00-53.25). A greater probability of having daily family meals was identified for children aged 10-12 years (61.55%; 95% CI: 57.44%-65.49%), boys (61.55%, 95% CI: 57.44%-65.49%), participants with high SES (64.66%, 95% CI: 60.65%-68.48%), participants with both parents at home (65.05%, 95% CI: 61.16%-68.74%) and those with both unemployed parents (61.55%, 95% CI: 57.44%-65.49%). In the present study, which included large representative samples of school-going children and adolescents from 43 countries, more than half of the participants did not have daily family meals.

Family meals and food insecurity in Spanish adolescents

The world is not on track to achieve the goal of food security for the global population by 2030. New approaches to understand individuals' food insecurity are needed, especially insecurity related to children and adolescents, since it is associated with health and psychosocial problems. The study aimed to characterise the family dinners among a representative cohort of schooled adolescents (n = 1017) and their parents (n = 261) in Terrassa (Catalonia, Spain) and how family dinners could be related to household food insecurity. The survey findings revealed that in 2022, 19.2% of the adolescents were experiencing household food insecurity. Adolescents with a lower socioeconomic status and of foreign origin showed the highest likelihood of experiencing household food insecurity. Household food security was also associated with some characteristics of family dinners, such as better quality and a higher frequency (seven or more dinners eaten together per week). Based on this finding, possible ways in which family dinners could offer a beneficial effect, alleviating the consequences of food insecurity in adolescents, are discussed. In line with the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goal of guaranteeing food security, the promotion of family dinners and their quality, frequency, and duration to leverage the beneficial effect in states of household food insecurity in Spanish adolescents should be taken into account to design actions and public campaigns in Spain.

Home-delivered meal boxes in a family setting: a qualitative study investigating reasons for use and perceived impact on meal practices

BACKGROUND

Cooking and consuming a homemade meal is associated with health benefits. Home-delivered meal boxes can support families in cooking this fresh meal. The current study aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the determinants of meal box use, and of the perceived impact on meal practices of parents with younger (i.e., aged 6-12 years) and older children (i.e., 13-18 years).

METHODS

Four focus groups were conducted (n = 19); two with parents of younger children, and two with parents of older children. A semi-structured interview guide was developed and interviews were recorded and transcribed. Reflexive thematic analysis was performed using NVivo 1.4.

RESULTS

Most parents mentioned practical reasons like saving time and money, as well as inspiration, as reasons to choose a home-delivered meal box. Also, tastiness and menu variation were often mentioned as determining factors by both parent groups. However, a few parents stated to stop using the meal boxes because of returning menus or too small portion sizes. Meal box providers were chosen based on the price, the freshness and the quality of the products. Moreover, positive effects on parents' perceived cooking skills and knowledge were reported. Also, some parents mentioned positively changed attitudes towards vegetarian dishes. Lastly, parents reported healthier eating due to more appropriate portion sizes and more vegetables. A prominent difference between parent groups was that older children played a role in continuing the use of meal boxes, and helped to prepare the meals (contrary to younger children).

CONCLUSIONS

Home-delivered meal boxes might be promising to enhance families' meal practices. This study could inform social marketeers and health promotors to adopt an optimal strategy to reach families.

The family meal, a ritual frozen in time; an Australian grounded theory study

Family meals are recognized as an opportunity to promote the health of families. Popular discourse posits that changes to contemporary family life have made family meals harder to achieve and promotion of the 'traditional' family meal may be adding pressures to contemporary families. While research has been conducted on family meals over the last three decades, there is no explicit investigation of the experiences and practices of family meals over this time. Understanding the evolution of family meal practices across time is important for developing achievable expectations in relation to this ritual. Qualitative interviews were conducted with a diverse population of South Australian parents in the 1990s (n = 32) and with a separate population of parents in 2020 (n = 22) to gather their experiences of family meal practices. A comparative analysis, informed by grounded theory, was undertaken to identify similarities and differences in experiences across these two time periods. The results indicated stability in many family meal experiences across time, particularly in their value and significance in family life. Negotiations balancing time, cost, food preferences and responsibility persisted. The stability of family meal values and practices is important to consider when making recommendations, designing interventions and creating services targeting the family meal.

Family Meals and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Young Children

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

Family meals represent a novel strategy for improving cardiovascular health in youth. The purpose of this paper is to describe the association between family meals, dietary patterns, and weight status in youth.

REVIEW FINDINGS

According to the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8, poor diet quality and overweight/obesity status are key contributors to suboptimal cardiovascular health. Current literature highlights a positive correlation between the number of family meals and healthier eating patterns, including greater consumption of fruits and vegetables, and a reduced risk of obesity in youth. However, to date, the role of family meals in improving cardiovascular health in youth has been largely observational and prospective studies are needed to assess causality. Family meals may be an effective strategy for improved dietary patterns and weight status in youth.