Family Meals among New Zealand Young People: Relationships with Eating Behaviors and Body Mass Index

ObjectiveTo examine the relationship between family meals and nutrition behaviors of adolescents.DesignSecondary analysis of Youth'07, a nationally representative survey.SettingSecondary schools in New Zealand.ParticipantsRandomly selected adolescents (aged 13-17 years, n = 9,107) completed a multimedia and anonymous survey about their health.Variables MeasuredBody mass index and eating behaviors.AnalysisMultiple logistic regression equations were used to determine the associations between family meals and body size and dietary behaviors, controlling for demographic variables.ResultsNearly 60% of young people shared a meal with their families 5 or more times in the previous week. Frequent family meals were associated with greater consumption of fruits and vegetables (P < .001), and breakfast (P < .001). Adolescents who frequently shared family meals were also more likely to report that what they ate in the past week was healthy than adolescents who did not (P < .001). There was no relationship between frequency of family meals and body mass index (P = .60).Conclusions and ImplicationsData from the current study suggest that family meals cannot be used as a single strategy for obesity prevention, but they may provide an important opportunity for young people to consume healthy food.