If you don't eat meals with your children on most days of the week, it's time to make changes. Table time together yields benefits far beyond food.

"The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends making family mealtime a priority," says Jeannine Hatt, M.D., FAAP, a TexomaCare pediatrician. "Research shows that children and teens who frequently spend time with their parents to share meals -- with the television off! -- are more likely to have healthy eating habits and are at decreased risk for substance abuse."

A study by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University compared teens who dined with their families six or seven times a week with those who did so twice or less. Those who ate together more often were four times less likely to smoke, three times less likely to use marijuana and half as likely to drink alcohol.

Teens who regularly eat dinner with their families also are more likely to do better in school -- and better grades are associated with a lower risk for substance abuse.

According to the CASA, teens who eat with their families fewer than three times a week report that the TV is usually on during dinner or that their family does not talk much. On the other hand, families where teens are frequently present at dinner find lots to talk about, from school and sports, friends and social events, to current events and even family issues and problems.

"The dinner table is a good place for parents to show their children they are high priorities and to open lines of communication," Dr. Hatt says. "Family meals give children a chance to talk with their parents about what is bothering them -- at school and at home."

The CASA has found that adolescents and young adults who seek treatment for depression, anxiety and other emotional problems are about half as likely as their peers to have regular family meals. In contrast, teens who frequently eat with their families are more likely to say their parents are proud of them and that they can confide in their parents.

Harvard Medical School finds another bonus of family mealtime: children who join family dinners eat more fruits, vegetables, minerals and vitamins. They also eat fewer saturated fats and snacks, and drink less soda. "Our children and teens live fast-paced lives and too often family time, especially at meals, is sacrificed," Dr. Hatt says.

"For both the short and long run, sharing meals together can help adolescents make healthier choices in life."

Healthy Recipe

For information on nutrition, including tips to help your children develop healthy eating habits, please visit www.texomamedicalcenter.net. In the left column, click on "Health Information," then "Wellness" and then "Nutrition."

P.O. Box 890 Denison, Texas 75021-0890