There is data showing that eating meals together as a family during adolescence can protect adults from becoming overweight later in life. My ears perk up when I hear about something simple that can be life-changing.
My family always ate meals together. To the point where when I was an adolescent I had some frustrating moments with my mother. I would ask to go out (for fast food, of course) after a game or event, and she would say no. But I will tell you that when I got to college, and had one of those nights when I had to run to the cafeteria and eat by myself because no one else was available, I was always grateful for (and missed terribly) those family meals.
Eating meals with family may not be an option for some adolescents out there, so those of us who do the family meal thing with our kids may need to take some others under our wings. Family meals are important on so many levels and now we have some evidence that they may even benefit our kids’ health.