Is frequency of family meals associated with parental encouragement of healthy eating among ethnically diverse eighth graders?. Issue 5 (7th May 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Poulos, Natalie S; Pasch, Keryn E; Springer, Andrew E; Hoelscher, Deanna M; Kelder, Steven H
• Is Part Of: Public health nutrition. Volume 17:Issue 5(2014)
• Page Start: 998
• Page End: 1003
• Publication Date: 2013-05-07
• Subjects: Nutrition -- Periodicals; Nutrition policy -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; 613.2
• DOI: 10.1017/S1368980013001092
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1368-9800

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="normal"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="abs1" sec-type="general"> <title>Objective</title> <p>The purpose of the present study was to explore the relationship between family meals and parental encouragement of healthy eating overall and by ethnicity.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs2" sec-type="general"> <title>Design</title> <p>Family meal frequency was measured with one item asking how many times in the past 7 d all or most of the family ate a meal together, which was then categorized to represent three levels of family meals (≤2 times, 3–6 times and ≥7 times). Parental encouragement of healthy eating assessed how often parents encouraged the student to eat fruits and vegetables, drink water, eat wholegrain bread, eat breakfast and drink low-fat milk (never to always). An overall scale of parental encouragement of healthy eating was created. Mixed-effect regression analyses were run controlling for gender, ethnicity, age and socio-economic status. Moderation by ethnicity was explored.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs3" sec-type="general"> <title>Setting</title> <p>Middle schools.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs4" sec-type="subjects"> <title>Subjects</title> <p>Participants included 2895 US eighth grade students participating in the Central Texas CATCH (Coordinated Approach To Child Health) Middle School Project (mean age 13·9 years; 24·5 % White, 52·7 % Hispanic, 13·0 % African-American, 9·8 % Other; 51·6 % female).</p> </sec> <sec id="abs5" sec-type="results"> <title>Results</title> <p>Eating more family meals was significantly associated with having parents who encouraged healthy eating behaviours (<italic>P</italic> for trend <0·001). The number of family meals was positively associated with encouragement of each of the healthy eating behaviours (<italic>P</italic> for trend <0·0001). There were no differences in the relationships by ethnicity of the students.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs6" sec-type="conclusion"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Families who eat together are more likely to encourage healthy eating in general. Interventions which promote family meals may include tips for parents to increase discussions about healthy eating.</p> </sec> </abstract>