Researchers have identified links between the frequency and quality of family meals and
numerous positive outcomes [3,17,20,26,29,34]. The majority of this previous literature on
family meals has focused on the frequency of family meals, and only more recently have
researchers started to focus on the specific behaviors, communication patterns, and other factors
within individual meals that influence various outcomes [12,16,28]. For the purposes of this
current review, the benefits associated with the frequency of family dinners will be the primary
focus.
These benefits include more direct dietary and health behaviors and outcomes, along withmore indirect behaviors and outcomes that extend beyond dietary preferences and nutritionally-
related health behaviors and outcomes.
Frequent, regular family mealtimes have been associated with several dietary and health
outcomes. For example, in a large meta-analysis by Hammons and Fiese, eating dinner as a
family at least three times per week was associated with consuming fruits and vegetables more
often than families who ate dinner together less frequently [21].
Similar findings have been
reported in other studies [32,44]. Additionally, family dinner frequency has been associated with
lower risk for eating unhealthy foods and snacks [21], and a decreased risk for disordered eating
[20,21,32]. Participation in frequent family meals has also been related to other protective factors
that influence health [3,26], including being associated with lower rates of obesity [5,21] and
decreased rates of food insecurity in children [24].
In addition to the perhaps more obvious benefits to diet and physical health, participation
in regular family mealtimes has been associated with numerous other benefits. Families who
maintain regular family mealtimes have been associated with having children who have better
academic performance [12] and well-being [31], as well as less alcohol and substance use
[12,20] and less behavioral problems in children [41]. In fact, one large study of 99,462
adolescents found that family dinner frequency was associated with a lower risk for sexual
activity, depression, suicide, school problems, bulimia, and violence [20]. Frequent family
dinners have also been associated with an increased sense of family cohesion and children
exhibiting less antisocial behavior [19,38]. It should be noted that with many of these
associations there are likely additional family factors that are influencing these outcomes
beyond, or in addition to, the family mealtimes.
Some of the potential reasons for these benefits
that extend beyond diet and physical health may be related to the finding that family mealtimespromote a sense of belonging and increase emotional security in children [18]. Fiese and
colleagues [13] explain that the symbolism and activity of family routines, such as family meals,
can create a culture in the home that may be instrumental in promoting these types of positive
outcomes for children. In fact, researchers have even found that having regular family dinners
with all or most members present may actually help to shape children’s self-regulation skills [9].
All of these positive outcomes, in addition to the dietary and physical health outcomes,
demonstrate the plethora of benefits and potentially far-reaching influence associated with
maintaining frequent family mealtime routines.