family meals

[Judith Powell]

Joyce (and the Nutrition Education Network of Washington)-
Thanks for taking an interest in this area. I have long held that young
children who have not had the benefit of a family meal are at a
disadvantage when they hit preschool/school.  Taking turns talking,
sharing information, learning rules and consequences, staying seated
beyond the time when basic needs are met and the like are all byproducts
of eating meals as a group.  Children who experience these familiar
components of family meals have a developmental leg up over those who do
not.  Judy

On Mon, 3 Jun 1996, Dougherty, Joyce wrote:


> The Nutrition Education Network of Washington is developing a social

> marketing campaign for families receiving food stamps and other families

> with limited resourses. The theme of the campaign will be to encourage

> eating the main meal together; messages of the campaign will be to

> encourage 3 of the Dietary Guidelines (Eat a variety of foods, Choose a

> diet with plenty of grain products, vegetables and fruits, and Choose a

> diet low in fat, saturated fat and cholesterol).

>

>

>

> The Network is seeking published academic or market research that may

> help to answer this question: If families eat the main meal together, do

> family members consume more nutritious foods? In particular, do parents

> and/or children eat more fruits, vegetables and grains, do they eat a

> greater variety of foods, and do they consume less fat?  Thanks in

> advance for you help........Joyce

>

> ==========================================================

>

> Enjoy at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day

>

> ==========================================================

>

>

>

> Joyce M. Dougherty

>

> Department of Health

>

> P.O.Box 47886 (MS:7886)

>

> Olympia, Washington 98504-7886

>

> Phone: 360.586.9014

>

> FAX:   360.586.3890

>

> Internet: jmg2303 at hub.doh.wa.gov

>

>

>