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While this might sound a little far-fetched, an American study recently showed that kids whose families regularly ate meals together are consistently less likely to use drugs and alcohol. Conducted by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, the study observed the behaviour of children and teenagers over a ten-year period and has found a link between the frequency of meals shared with parents and the likelihood of trying marijuana, alcohol, and cigarettes.

The study

Dividing subjects into two groups – those who ate less than two meals with their family each week and those who ate five or more – the study examined a number of aspects of kids’ behaviour and attitudes. The children in the group that ate dinner with parents more often was found not only to be less likely to try marijuana, alcohol, or cigarettes, but were also more likely to feel that there parents are proud of them and to experience less family tension.

How does it work?

It would seem that one of the main benefits of eating dinner as a family is the opportunity for communication that the shared meal provides. By spending regular time with their parents, children have a chance to confide in their parents about important issues without the added pressure of a discussion purely for the sake of a discussion. Past studies have also shown other benefits of eating together, such as a decreased risk of eating disorders in teenagers.

What to do

If your children are reluctant to eat meals at the table, planning family meals may feel like a struggle at first. If possible, get kids involved in planning and preparing meals, too, and the process should soon get a little easier as it becomes a habit. Enjoy the meals with your family, and don’t try to turn it into a time for serious discussion – the idea is that when they need to confide, they can, with no pressure.

Tags: family