Researchers believe that having meal with parents may protect their child from being overweight or obese in young adulthood. One or two meal in a week is absolutely fine according to the University of Minnesota researchers.

The researchers used data from a 10-year longitudinal study  with a sample of 2,287 participants, to examine weight-related variables [dietary intake, physical activity and weight control behaviour] among adolescents. The results showed that 60 percent were overweight and 29 percent were obese who never ate family meal together.

While coming together for meal will also provide opportunities for emotional connections among family members, the food is more likely to be healthy.

(AW: Vamshi)