Are Family Meal Patterns Associated with Overall Diet Quality during the Transition from Early to Middle Adolescence?
Abstract
Objective
To examine longitudinal associations of participation in regular family meals (≥ 5 meals/week) with eating habits and dietary intake during adolescence.
Design
Population-based, longitudinal study (Project EAT: Eating Among Teens). Surveys were completed in Minnesota classrooms at Time 1 (1998-1999) and by mail at Time 2 (2003-2004).
Setting
Baseline surveys were completed in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, schools and by mail at follow-up.
Participants
677 adolescents (303 males and 374 females) who were in middle school at Time 1 (mean age = 12.8 ± 0.74 years) and high school at Time 2 (mean age = 17.2 ± 0.59 years).
Main Outcome Measures
Dietary intake, frequency of meals, and fast-food intake patterns.
Analysis
Generalized linear modeling stratified by gender and adjusted for race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and the Time 1 outcome.
Results
Regular family meals were positively associated with Time 2 frequency of breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals for males and breakfast and dinner meals for females. Among males, regular family meals were negatively associated with Time 2 fast-food intake. Regular family meals were also positively associated with Time 2 mean daily intakes of vegetables, calcium-rich food, fiber, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, folate, and vitamins A and B6 among both genders.
Conclusions and Implications
Regular family meals during early adolescence may contribute to the formation of healthful eating habits 5 years later. Parents should be made aware of the importance of shared mealtime experiences.
Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Address for correspondence: Teri L. Burgess, PhD, RD, LD, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, 1300 S. Second Street, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55454; Phone: (612)-597-7173
Data collection was supported by grant R40 MC 00319 from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (Title V, Social Security Act), Health Resources and Service Administration, Department of Health and Human Services. Analyses were supported by the Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition, General Mills, and by the Adolescent Health Protection Training Program grant number T01-DP000112 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Health and Human Services.
ABSTRACT