LECTURE EXTENSION Is There an Association Between Eating Family Dinner and Diet Quality in School-Age Children? (p. 415)
The text states that school-age children need a well-balanced, plentiful diet to provide energy for successful learning in school and increased physical activity. In addition, current research suggests that the evening meal provides more nutrients than other meals or snacks consumed throughout the day. Although eating family dinner is associated with more healthy dietary habits, such as consuming more fruits and vegetables and less fried food, the percentage of children eating dinner with their families shows marked decline during middle childhood and adolescence. In order to further examine the relationship between frequency of eating family dinner and diet quality, Gillman and associates (2000) surveyed 8,677 girls and 7,525 boys, ages 9 to 14 years, regarding their eating habits. The self-report questionnaire included data about current age, sex, race, height and weight, and whom the child lived with. Other questions focused on frequency of physical activity, amount of daily television viewing, weight concerns, and body image. Participants were also asked to provide information about how often they sit down for family dinners and what types of food they typically consume. As expected, the results of this study indicated that older children are less likely to eat dinner with their families than younger children. Perhaps more importantly, participants who reported eating family dinner every day consumed approximately .8 more servings of fruits and vegetables than did those participants who rarely or never ate dinner with their families. In addition, participants who ate family dinner regularly were more likely to report only occasional consumption of fried foods and soda. Finally, participants who reported eating family dinner often consumed substantially more dietary fiber, calcium, folate, vitamins B6, B12, C, and E and iron than their counterparts. This study clearly indicates an association between eating family dinner and the development of healthy dietary habits. Not only does eating family dinner contribute to healthy eating, it provides parents and children an opportunity to communicate and interact as a family. While it may be difficult for working parents to schedule time to eat dinner as a family, the long-term health benefits certainly seem worth the effort. Gillman, M. W. Rifas-Shiman, S. L., Frazier, A. L., Rockett, H. R., Camargo, C. A., Field, A. E., Berkey, C. S., & Colditz, G. A. (2000). Family dinner and diet quality among older children and adolescents. Archives of Family Medicine, 9, 235-240. LEARNING ACTIVITY Observing Play During Middle Childhood (p. 425)
Suggest that students visit a city park, watch several preschool and school-age children at play, and jot down their various physical activities. Students can create a checklist of behaviors to be noted (see Table 11.2 on page 425). In addition to age differences, they should look for sex differences in playful interactions and behaviors. What types of physical activities do the children seem to most enjoy? Are school-age children involved in team activities? If parents have accompanied children to the park, note the role they take in their children's play. Do they quietly watch or actively direct? Are any comments about the children's activities gender-stereotyped?
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