Volume 24, Issue 102, March - April, 2020

Family meal associated with better dietary quality during adolescence

Eman S. Alamri

Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Home Economics, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

Objective: The present study aims to examine the influence of family meal type (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) on food intake and Body Mass Index (BMI) of Saudi adolescent girls. Methods: The study was conducted between September and October 2019 using a cross sectional design. Adolescents were recruited from two intermediate schools in Tabuk city (388 adolescents). Food intake and family meal were measured using three-day dietary records. Height and weight were measured to calculate BMI. Results: Eating a family breakfast was positively associated with adolescent intake of dairy products and meat alternatives (p<0.05). Eating a family lunch was positively associated with adolescent intake of vegetables and meat alternatives (p<0.05). Finally, eating a family dinner was positively associated with adolescent intake of fruit, vegetables, dairy products, and whole grains (p<0.05). There was a significant negative association between eating family lunch (r= –0.70, p = 0.01) and family dinner (r = -0.66, p = 0.02) with adolescent BMI. No significant association was found between family breakfast and adolescent BMI. Conclusion: Eating family meals is an important aspect to improving the quality of adolescent food intake and their BMI. Parents should be educated about the importance of having regular meals together as a family.

Keywords: family meal type, food intake, BMI, adolescent girls

Medical Science, 2020, 24(102), 786-792

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