Commentary; Posted: 9/20/06
Having meals with your kids is healthy
By Don Heinzman
Dakota County Commissioners are following a national campaign to improve the physical, mental and emotional health of the countyís young people. They have declared Monday, Sept. 25 as a ěDay to Eat with Your Children.î
The idea is that on one day families are being encouraged to have a meal with parents and all the children present, preferably for dinner.
The benefits from this old-fashioned idea have been researched by experts from around the country.
Dr. William J. Doherty of the University of Minnesota has found that youngsters eating with the family at a certain meal time is a stronger predictor of academic achievement and psychological achievement than other activities including school, studying and sports.
Dohertyís study found that teenagers who have at-home meals are less likely to abuse drugs, engage in early sexual behavior, have eating disorders or commit suicide.
The commissioners noted that teenagers who always eat dinner with their families are 31 percent less likely than the average teenager to use drugs, alcohol and cigarettes. A national poll of teenagers when asked about their worries and concerns listed in a tie for first, not having enough time together with parents.
Dr. Dianne Neumark-Sztainer of the University of Minnesota has found that well over half of the teenagers agree they would eat healthier meals by having healthier choices, eating better meals prepared at home and with parents who insist on healthy eating.
Dr. Neumark-Sztainer said teens who eat more family meals tend to eat more fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins, calcium-rich foods and have a higher intake of iron, foliate, fiber, vitamins A,C, and B, while drinking fewer soft drinks.
More frequent family meals, Dr. Neumark-Sztainer, said protect against tobacco and marijuana use, low grade point average, depression and suicide.
If just having a meal with the family once a day is so good, why arenít more families doing it?
The answer is that families are too busy and over-scheduled, and dinner time becomes a time for grabbing something at a fast-food restaurant while on the run with their children to some sport practice and game.
Parents are involved in coaching and cheering their kids at ball parks at meal time than finding time to have a meal with their kids.
Families also do not trust their neighborhoods for just playing outside, fearing that a predator could be lurking around the neighborhood playground.
Dakota County joins 42 states and more than 400 cities and counties across the nation in issuing proclamations declaring the fourth Monday in September as Family Day-A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children.
Having a family meal with your children is an idea whose time has come again.
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