Family meals fuel better nutrition, stronger connections

Published on September 12, 2022

Weld County, Colorado — September is National Family Meals Month™, a movement to raise awareness of the benefits of frequent family meals. The Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment encourages eating together as it has been shown to increase self-esteem, a sense of wellbeing, positive social behaviors, and strong family connections, all while enabling people to eat healthier.

According to Mike Schwan, a registered dietitian nutritionist at WCDPHE, "Kids who take part in family meals are less likely to be overweight, they tend to do better in school, and they have better mental health and positive relationships within the family." Schwan also said, "People who prepare meals at home eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, iron, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They also eat about 200 fewer calories and 16 grams of sugar less per day then those who go out to eat."

Numerous studies underscore the importance of families eating together on a regular basis:

• With each additional family meal shared during the week, adolescents are less likely to show symptoms of violence, depression, and suicide; less likely to use or abuse drugs or run away; and less likely to engage in risky behavior or delinquent acts.
• Family meals make the grade. Kids from kindergarten to college who eat meals with their families four times a week or more earn better test scores and succeed in school.
• Children who grow up sharing family meals are more likely to exhibit prosocial behavior as adults, such as sharing, fairness, and respect.
• Family meals strengthen bonds and deepen relationships as they provide a regular time for the whole family to be together. They also can help teach kids heritage as food often is a representation of the ethnic, cultural, and religious heritage of the family.

For more information on healthy eating, go to the Health Eating Active Living webpage or set up an appointment with a WCDPHE nutrition educator by calling (970) 400-6420.