Associations of family meal practices with health status and dietary intake: A literature review using Japanese journal databases

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  • 共食行動と健康・栄養状態ならびに食物・栄養素摂取との関連
  • ―国内文献データベースとハンドサーチを用いた文献レビュー―

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Objective: This study was conducted to review the trends observed in studies concerning the associations of a behavior of “eating together” with health status and dietary intake in Japan.<br>Methods: Articles published between 2001 and 2011 were accessed using two databases (CiNii and “Igaku chuo zasshi”) and articles were retrieved using the search terms “eating together” OR “eating alone” OR (family AND together AND meal). In addition, three journals (Japanese Journal of Health Education and Promotion, Japanese Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics, and Journal of Home Economics of Japan) were manually reviewed. After screening titles, abstracts, and full texts, 20 articles were included in this review.<br>Results: All articles were cross-sectional studies and 11 articles targeted schoolchildren and adolescents. To assess an “eating meal” behavior, 11 articles used family meal frequency per week. A higher family meal frequency was associated with better mental health (6 of 7 articles), but not with better physique. Further, those with a higher family meal frequency were more likely to have better diets (3 of 3), eat healthful foods more frequently (3 of 6) and report better diet quality (1 of 1). There were no associations with nutrient intake (0 of 1).<br>Conclusion: Family meal frequency was positively associated with better mental health and the frequency of healthful foods. All the analyzed articles were cross-sectional studies and most studies targeted for children, so further studies, including longitudinal studies, are necessary in Japan.

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