Eating dinner together as a family gives children lifelong advantages

What the research found

A 2022 systematic review found that a positive mood at mealtimes has been linked to better nutrition, literacy and school results, and fewer behaviour problems in children. The review also said studies measure "mealtime mood" in very different ways, which makes the findings hard to combine.

A 2018 review of children's eating behaviour said the family setting plays a big part in shaping habits that can last through life. Parents' own food habits and feeding approaches were the strongest influences. This was a narrative review, which cannot untangle complex causes.

Paediatric guidance says kids who eat with their families at least 3 times a week get physical, emotional, social and academic benefits. It says research links family meals with lower risks of depression, eating disorders and substance use. These are links, and the page does not show that meals alone cause the benefits.

What it doesn’t mean

• Families who eat together may differ in other ways, such as time, income and household stability. So the meals may not be the cause of the benefits.
• You don't need dinner every night. The guidance says practical beats perfect, and breakfast or weekend meals count too.
• If your child's eating worries you, or mealtimes are regularly stressful, talk to your GP or child health nurse.