Benefits of Dining In showcased on Dec. 3, Family &amp; Consumer Sciences Day
Looking for ways to connect with your children and help them be healthier? If so, University of Wisconsin-Extension family living educators and Family and Consumer Science professionals around the state encourage you to prepare and share a family meal together on Wednesday, Dec. 3, Family & Consumer Sciences "Dine In" Day.
Research shows that eating family meals together can have benefits by helping children to make healthier food choices, maintain a healthy weight, and share family interests and values.
In Wisconsin, Gov. Scott Walker has proclaimed Dec. 3 as Family & Consumer Sciences Day in recognition of the work of professionals, including UW-Extension educators, who work to improve life for families.
The national American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences aims to reach 200,000 families by Dec. 3 with their message about the benefits of families sharing meals together.
"The importance of family meals has received a lot of attention recently, especially in light of growing concerns about childhood obesity," says Christine Kniep, Family Living Educator.
Studies conducted at the University of Minnesota, Harvard and Rutgers found that the more often adolescents ate family meals with their parents, the more likely they were to eat fruits, vegetables and calcium-rich foods. Young children who eat with other family members tend to eat more from the basic food groups, such as fruits and vegetables.
"Young children are much more likely to eat vegetables when they see mom or dad eating vegetables," says Kniep.
Another important benefit of family meals is that they provide opportunities for family members to talk and build family bonds. Studies have found that the whole family benefits from shared mealtimes by improving communication, fostering family traditions and teaching life skills. Establishing regular mealtimes has also been shown to provide children with more stability.
To learn more about Family & Consumer Sciences "Dine In" Day, visit http://www.aafcs.org/FCSday/index.html. You can commit to "Dining In" on Dec. 3 by signing up online at http://www.aafcs.org/FCSday/commitment.html.
For more information about ways to promote family health and wellbeing, contact the Winnebago County Extension office at (920) 232-1973.