The role of family meal frequency in common mental disorders in children and adolescents over eight months of follow-up

Abstract

Objective This study evaluated the influence of family meal frequency on the occurrence of common mental disorders (CMD) in children and adolescents over eight months of follow-up. Design Data from this longitudinal study were derived from the PAAPAS—Parents, Students, Community Health Agents, and Teachers for Healthy Eating—community trial. CMD were evaluated using the General Health Questionnaire. Frequency of family meals (breakfast and dinner) was categorized as “breakfast and dinner regularly with the family”, “at least breakfast or dinner regularly with the family”, and “does not have any meal regularly with the family.” The effect of family meal frequency on CMD was analyzed using generalized estimation equations with log-binomial models for repeated measures. Setting This study was conducted in public schools (N = 18) of Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2016. Participants Children (aged 9–11 years) and adolescents (aged 12–17 years) from the fifth and sixth grades (N = 2,743). Results These findings suggested that regular family meals were a protective factor for mental health. The adjusted relative risk of CMD was 0.75 (95% confidence interval = 0.69–0.83) for those who had two family meals regularly and 0.87 (95% confidence interval = 0.77–0.97) for those who had only one regular family meal, compared to students who had no regular family meals. Conclusions Potential strategies that educate and encourage families about the mental health benefits of eating regular meals together must be explored and implemented.

Dietary patterns, breakfast consumption, meals with family and associations with common mental disorders in adolescents: a school-based cross-sectional study

“…Moreover, the presence of the family during meals is crucial for the construction of healthy eating practices, so much that the higher frequency of family meals is associated with fewer depressive symptoms and fewer emotional difficulties in adolescents [ 50 ]. Agathão et al [ 15 ], in a longitudinal report, found that Regular meals with the family were a protective factor for the mental health of Brazilian adolescents aged between 12 and 17 years. Furthermore, the chance of having depression can be up to 4.5 times greater in adolescents who do not have the practice of having meals with the family (frequency less than or equal to once a week) [ 51 ].…”

“…In addition to food consumption, dietary practices have also been the subject of studies that have found an association with adolescent mental health. O'Sullivan et al [ 14 ] and Agathão et al [ 15 ] found associations between healthy eating practices such as eating breakfast and eating meals in the presence of family with better mental health in adolescents.…”

Food Consumption Patterns, Breakfast, Meals with Family and Associations with Common Mental Disorders in Adolescents: A School-Based Cross-Sectional Study

“…The presence of the family during meals is crucial for the construction of healthy eating practices, so much that the higher frequency of family meals is associated with fewer depressive symptoms and fewer emotional di culties in adolescents [40]. Agathão et al (2021) [9], in a longitudinal report, found that Regular meals with the family were a protective factor for the mental health of Brazilian adolescents aged between 12 and 17 years. Furthermore, the chance of having depression can be up to 4.5 times greater in adolescents who do not have the practice of having meals with the family (frequency less than or equal to once a week) [41].…”

“…It is understood that family meals are opportunities in which family members can connect and strengthen their bonds [9,42]. Therefore, having meals with the family can be considered a protective factor for the presence of CMD in adolescents.…”

“…Moreover, there is an association between healthy eating practices, such as eating breakfast and having meals in the presence of the family with better mental health in adolescents [8,9].…”