Eating together may mean a family chooses healthier foods. In the same study, which included 16,000 children aged nine to 14, researchers found that those who eat with their parents often have healthier eating habits than those who don t. Children who eat with adults learn to speak at an earlier age. And, mealtime conversations help a family stay connected.
Frequent communication contributes to understanding and shared support.
In fact, conversations around the dinner table can help families resolve problems before they become issues, Walsten said. From a nutritional perspective, eating in a social setting has been shown to aid digestion and the absorption of vitamins and minerals, she said. When left to fend for themselves, children are apt to choose foods that taste the best rather than foods that may be the best for them. Walsten said that 64 percent of those polled said conflicting schedules were the biggest barrier to eating together. While parents may not be able to do much about conflicting schedules, they may be able to change the way they manage them.