Research has shown that family
dinners can have a positive impact on
the family unit. Here’s what research
says:

• Children who participate in a
  meal at which their parent was
  present consume an increased
  amount of fruit and vegetables.
  (National Longitudinal Study of
  Adolescent Health; Mintel: Kids' and
  Teens' Eating Habits - US - April 2006)
• Results from the study, Project EAT, indicated that the more frequently family meals were taken together, the higher the recorded intake of fruits, vegetables, grains, and calcium-rich foods and the lower the intake of soft drinks. (Mintel: Kids' and Teens' Eating Habits - US - April 2006)
• The research community believes that finding ways to help parents prioritize family meal occasion is a priority for children’s health and well-being. (Mintel: Kids' and Teens' Eating Habits - US - April 2006)
• Family meals equate to family time spent together, and this has been shown to produce an overall higher quality of life in terms of a child’s self-esteem, security, and social skills. (Mintel: Kids' and Teens' Eating Habits - US - April 2006)
• Family meals are a great way to model good eating behavior, with long-lasting consequences: Young adults who had more family meals as adolescents consume more fruits and veggies, according to a 2007 report from the university of Minnesota. And the benefits don’t stop with diet. Other studies show better grades, higher self-esteem, and less substance abuse in kids who dine four or more times a week with their families. (Psychology Today Magazine, Jan/Feb 2008)

Further Research by CASA