Family Influence on Eating Habits of Adolescent Boys and their Attitude towards Participation in Family Meals

Abstract

Family meals are considered as a useful mechanism for enhancing family togetherness and create role modeling behaviors that parents like to emulate among their children. Family meal time is therefore, an opportunity for socialization and development of family unit. It has long been acknowledged to provide the structure and sense of belongingness, connectedness and security among young children. However, any change in societal activities such as increased after-school youth activities, changes in family structure and living arrangements, increased availability of convenience foods etc exerts a negative influence on frequency and participation in family meals with special reference to adolescents.