Dining as a family may create happier, healthier teens

A new survey has revealed that a family sit-down at dinnertime can benefit teenagers in more ways that you may think, and may even reduce your child’s risk for trying or using drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol, writes the Independent.

The US National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse has released a report on family dining trends and how family mealtimes can impact the health of teenagers.

The study surveyed more than 1,000 teens and found that 58 percent dine with their families at least five times per week – a number that has held steady over the years, experts say.

In the report, teenagers who dined with their families five to seven times a week were four times less likely to use alcohol, tobacco, or marijuana than those teens who ate with their families fewer than three times a week.

Earlier this year, early research findings from Understanding Society revealed that dining together is a key ingredient to ensuring your child’s happiness.

Researchers stated that children in the survey reported higher levels of happiness when they dined together with their families at least three times a week. Other factors in increasing childhood happiness? Spending time together.

“Contrary to the popular belief that children only want to spend time playing videogames or watching TV, we found that they were most happy when interacting with their parents or siblings.” said researcher Dr. Maria Iacovou from the Institute for Social and Economic Research at the University of Essex, where the survey is run.