Prevalence and temporal trends of shared family meals in Germany

Peer-reviewed / Manuscript (Original) received: June 14, 2018 / Revision accepted: September 7, 2018

Results from EsKiMo II

Introduction

The benefits of shared meals go far beyond purely physiological and nutritional benefits. As part of family life, they help structure the day and allow parents the opportunity to have meaningful conversations with their children. They provide the opportunity to discuss problems and worries, as well as positive events. This gives children a sense of assurance and helps parents be more involved in their children's lives [1].

Shared meals do not only contribute to psychosocial benefits, they also help develop food preferences and dietary habits. Food preferences are mostly formed at the family table. Brombach called this phenomenon the ‘Geschmacksheimat’ (one’s ‘taste homeland’) [2]. Taste is formed within the context of one’s cultural environment, for example, eating bread with jam for breakfast, or a roast on Sundays. In addition, memories can play a role in the development of a person's nutritional history, and this role may be positive or negative (e. g. in the case of learned aversions) [2, 3].

Children and adolescents who regularly eat with their families more frequently exhibit health-promoting dietary patterns, such as a higher intake of fruit and vegetables, than those who do not eat family meals on a regular basis [4, 5]. Health benefits that are often discussed in association with family meals include a lower Body Mass Index (BMI) [4, 5] and a lower risk of developing eating disorders [4]. In this context, it does not seem to be significant which meal is eaten together, nor does it matter whether only one parent takes part on it or the entire family [4].

Abstract

Family meals can make an important contribution to the development of children and adolescents. EsKiMo II (2015–2017) was conducted about ten years after the first “Eating Study as a KiGGS Module” (EsKiMo I; 2006). This study provides current and representative results regarding family meals in Germany. Overall, the frequency of family meals has increased in the last ten years. Children and adolescents from families with a lower socioeconomic status have family meals significantly less often. Average daily consumption of sugary drinks is significantly lower among adolescents who frequently have breakfast with family members, and daily fruit consumption is significantly higher among children who frequently have breakfast with family members compared to those who seldom do so. The findings of EsKiMo II could help to highlight the importance of family meals and thus promote their positive effects.

Keywords: Family meals, children and adolescents, EsKiMo II, nutrition survey, dietary behavior

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