The Surprising Benefits of the Family Meal

This article is a literature review on the surprising benefits of family meals. The family meal has declined drastically since 1966. Families who have frequent family meals often see the following benefits with their children and youth: enhanced vocabulary, academic success, healthy food selections, demonstration of positive values, and avoidance of high-risk behaviors (substance abuse, sexual activity, depression/suicide, violence, school problems, binge eating/purging, and excessive weight loss). Nurse practitioners are in an excellent position to assess for family meal frequency and encourage families to make family meals a reality.