It’s possible that eating dinner as a family is the best parenting tip ever. Everyone involved has many wins when families take the time to eat together, not just the kids. Is there anything else you can do with your children in an hour that will help them succeed in school, boost their confidence, and decrease their chances of being overweight, depressed, or using drugs?
Better Eating Habits
According to research published in JAMA Network Open, eating dinner with loved ones has been linked to healthier eating habits in general, particularly among teenagers.
In contrast, adolescents who ate with their families were likelier to eat healthy foods like fruits and vegetables and less likely to consume unhealthy foods like fast food and sugary drinks. The study’s results hold true whether or not a family is considered “functioning” or “dysfunctional.”
Prevents Serious Psychosocial Issues
A study conducted in 2015 by a group of Canadian researchers found that regular family meals reduced the risk of teenagers developing eating disorders, alcohol and drug abuse, aggressive behavior, sadness, and suicidal ideation.
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The advantages of eating together as a family were most apparent among the study’s young female participants because they were more pressured.
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Curtails Weight Struggles In Adulthood
Shared family meals throughout adolescence are associated with lower risks of obesity or weight problems ten years later, according to research published in the Journal of Pediatrics.
This was particularly true for adolescents of African descent. The research findings suggest that families should make an effort to eat together at least once or twice a week to reduce the risk of childhood obesity.
Improves Children’s Self-Esteem
Stanford Youngster’s Health, a pediatric healthcare institution linked with Stanford Medicine and Stanford University, reports that having dinner together as a family often might help children feel more secure in themselves.
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You may show your kids that you appreciate and respect who they are by asking them
