The Relationship between Family Meals and Mental Health Problems in Japanese Elementary School Children: A Cross-Sectional Study

Association of family meals with sleep and quality of life in Japanese preschool and elementary school children: A cross-sectional study

Sleep is crucial for children's health and eating habits. The decline in family meals has raised concerns about its impact on children. Previous research indicated associations between family meals and psychological health and dietary habits, but their relationship with sleep behavior is less understood. This study examined the association between family meals (breakfast and dinner), sleep patterns, and quality of life among Japanese preschoolers and elementary school students (1st to 3rd grade). The cross-sectional study involved 6,177 children aged 3-8 years in Japan. Mothers completed an online survey on family meal habits, sleep patterns, and the KINDL-R questionnaire to assess quality of life. Results showed that family meals were associated with sleep behaviors and KINDL scores. Multiple regression analysis indicated that family breakfast was associated with earlier bedtime and wake-up time, shorter weekend sleep duration, reduced social jet lag, and a morning chronotype, as detected by the Munich ChronoType Questionnaire. Family dinners were linked to later sleep and wake-up times and an evening chronotype. Family breakfast and dinner were associated with higher KINDL scores, with dinner having a stronger positive impact. These findings underscore the significance of family meals in associating sleep patterns and quality of life among Japanese children.

The Family Environment as a Source for Creating the Dietary Attitudes of Primary School Students-A Focus Group Interview: The Junior-Edu-Żywienie (JEŻ) Project

The family environment plays a crucial role in creating the health behaviours of children and youth. This study aimed to explore the attitudes of parents with children aged 7-12 who represent an influential environment for creating the eating behaviours of children. A qualitative study was conducted using focus-group interviews (FGI) involving 101 parents from various socioeconomic backgrounds. Three categories of parents were identified based on their level of involvement and awareness of nutrition: 'aware', 'determined', and 'relaxed'. Among parents of 10-12-year-old students, an additional category, 'distanced' parents, was identified. The study revealed that parents require support in terms of providing compelling arguments and practical recommendations related to meals and reducing or eliminating their children's consumption of sweets, snacks, fast food, and, in the case of older students, energy drinks. Parents reported that their children had a moderate understanding of the principles of proper nutrition. The majority of respondents viewed this knowledge as primarily theoretical and expressed a need for practical guidance and activities, which they believe should be offered by schools. To achieve positive outcomes in educational activities related to food and nutrition, it is essential to involve children, parents, guardians, teachers, and other school staff in these efforts.

Breakfast and psychosocial behavioural problems in young population: The role of status, place, and habits

The aim of this study was to examine whether breakfast status, place and habits are associated with psychosocial behavioural problems in a nationally representative sample of young people aged 4–14 years residing in Spain. This study analysed secondary data from the Spanish National Health Survey (2017), including 3,772 Spanish children and adolescents. Breakfast status, place, and habits were assessed by ad hoc questions answered by parents/guardians. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) parents’ version form was applied to evaluate the psychosocial health of their children. Skipping breakfast and eating breakfast out of home were linked to greater odds of psychosocial behavioural problems (skipping breakfast: OR = 3.29; CI 95%, 1.47–7.35; breakfast out of home: OR = 2.06; CI 95%, 1.27–3.33) than eating breakfast at home. Similarly, not consuming coffee, milk, tea, chocolate, cocoa, yogurt, etc., for breakfast was related to greater odds of psychosocial behavioural problems (OR = 1.76; CI 95%, 1.21–2.55). This association was also found for those who did not eat bread, toast, cereals, pastries, etc., for breakfast (OR = 1.31; CI 95%, 1.01–1.73). Conversely, not consuming eggs, cheese, ham, etc., was associated with lower odds of psychosocial behavioural problems (OR = 0.56; CI 95%, 0.38–0.83). Our results show that eating breakfast (specifically at home) and breakfast habits related to the intake of certain food/beverages groups were associated with higher or lower odds of psychosocial behavioural problems.

Empowering Children as Agents of Change to Foster Resilience in Community: Implementing "Creative Health" in Primary Schools after the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster

The "Creative Heath" project, a participatory school activity to foster community resilience, was implemented in Fukushima, Japan, and children's experiences of the project were assessed both quantitatively and qualitatively. The project consists of three workshops: BODY, FOOD, and ACT, with activities to facilitate students' scientific and creative thinking, working in teams, presenting, and expressing their opinions. The first two schools participated with 105 students aged 9-11 years old. Before and after each workshop, students were given questionnaires to rate their satisfaction with their own health (BODY), local foods (FOOD), and the community at large (ACT) on a five-level scale, with space to add free comments. Ratings for BODY and FOOD changed significantly, and the proportion of students who increased their rating of an evaluation indicator after each workshop was 25% for BODY, 28% for FOOD, and 25% for ACT. Text analysis of free comments showed that students in the "increased" group appreciated presenting, measuring, learning connections between nutrition and health, and working collaboratively with peers. Children perceived their health and the foods in their community more positively after participating. Moreover, the Creative Health project could be a way to enhance children's creativity and autonomy as agents of change in the community.