Benefits 0f Eating Together | Richmond, BC RPC Daycare

Though through out the last 20years there have been many debates as to the importance and benefits of eating dinner together as a family, recent studies from around the world have brought to light the importance and facts supporting mealtimes together.

Here are a few key benefits of eating dinner together as a family.


1. Increased vocabulary


In recent studies, researchers in North America, Europe and Australia have found young children who have conversations at dinner time increased their vocabulary more then children being read to. These children increased about 1000 more rare words compared to 143 rare words from parents reading storybooks aloud, out of 3000 common words that are used by children. 

Studies have shown that kids who have a larger vocabulary range, tend to read more and read more easily. On top of this, children who ate 5 to 7 times a week were twice as likely to get A's in school from those who ate dinner with family fewer then 2 times a week.


2. Health of a Body 

Children who eat family dinners together tend to consume more fruits, vegetables, vitamins and micro-nutrients. 

These families tend to eat fewer fried foods and consume less soft drinks. These benefits continue long after they become adults. Studies have shown a reduced obesity  rate and the desire to eat more healthy foods in children who ate dinner together as a family in their adult years. Moreover, studies have shown that regular family dinners tend to reduce symptoms in medical disorders such as asthma  and anxiety. 

       However these benefits are available to families who watch TV during dinner. Studies in America, Sweden, Finland and Portugal found kindergartners who watched TV during dinner where more likely to be overweight by the time they were in third grade. 




3. Soul Food 

Various studies have found a link to regular family dinners with lowering a host of high risk teenage behavior parents fear. Parental fears such as: smoking, binge drinking, marijuana use, violence, school problems, eating disorders and sexual activities. In fact children having regular family dinners seem to have a more positive new of the future compared to their peers who don't eat with parents. 

One such study of 5000 Minnesota teens, found that regular family dinners were associated with lower rates of depression and suicidal thoughts. In fact kids who have been a victim of cyberbullying have bounced back more readily if they had regular dinners. 

      
4. The Meal Time Magic

         There really are a lot of benefits to having regular family meal times too many to keep listing. But here is a list of the best benefits. We hope this encourages you to keep eating dinners together and having family time around food. 

a. Because we don't do farming together any more or play musical instruments, or stitch quilts on the porch, dinner is the most reliable way for families to connect and find out whats going on with each other. 

b. Teens are most likely to talk with their parents over dinner time. 

c. Kids who eat dinner with their parents experience less stress and a better relationship with their parents. 

d. Meal times together develop greater interpersonal skills and communication skills better.