It turns out that children who eat with their families have healthier and more successful lives than children who often eat alone or in front of the TV. These are the results of a study led by Linda Pagani of the University of Montreal.
Study team members followed children born in Quebec, Canada from 1997 to 1998. When the children were 6 years old, parents began to report on the frequency of full-fledged family meals: did all family members gather at a common table, what dishes were prepared. And when the children turned 10, they were asked to talk about their habits, psychological and emotional state.
It turned out that children who ate more often with their families had better social skills. Their behavior was less aggressive and they showed a lower potential for crime.
The researchers concluded that the presence of parents and siblings during meals provides children with sufficient social interaction to thrive in all aspects.
Interaction between children and other family members ensures a good future for children, especially in communication and managing their emotions. In addition, at a family meal, children receive the required daily dose of vitamins and minerals, which is different from that which they receive when eating alone. In this case, children simply ignore what at first glance seems unappetizing to them.
But more importantly, having dinner with the family was the means by which the child learns. And that social experience is even higher than that coming from school, the researchers said.