It’s been a long time since my last post, but I just read an article that addresses the social factors regarding being overweight and obesity.
New research from the USA and Netherlands show how eating habits within a family can effect caloric intake.
In a study published in the journal “Obesity” by the scientists at Cornell’s Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management (Ithaca) and Wageningen University. Comprising 190 parents and 148 children, they found that families who regularly ate dinner together and talked without the television on, weighed less and had a lower BMI.
According to the researchers and their findings, social support and communication during mealtimes foster a better environment and decrease the need to eat more than necessary.
“In fact, eating anywhere other than the kitchen or dining room was related to higher BMIs in both parents and in children,” said Brian Wansink, one of the study’s authors from Cornell. “Family meals and their rituals might be an under-appreciated battleground to fight obesity.”
A lot can be said about the difficulty with managing a family unit in the hustle of today’s fast paced world. We shouldn’t lose sight of the emotional needs of each other, parent, child or partner. Isn’t it nice to have someone to talk to or be the one to listen to someone who cares about what you think?
Social support is so important to who we are. Having a sit-down dinner without distractions is a great way to really connect with each other. Call the family to dinner, or a friend, put away the cell phone, tablet, turn off the T.V. and look across the table. Connect with someone! If you can’t do it everyday, try at least once a week. It’s great to cook at home, but if you can’t, order something and eat together.
Here’s to family and friends! Cheers!
-Henry