1. The ImportanceThe Importance
of Familyof Family
MealtimeMealtime
By Kristin HowellBy Kristin Howell

2. United States
Mexico
China
All over the
world, families
can be found
enjoying meals
together.

3. But why is familyBut why is family
mealtime somealtime so
important?important?

4.  By eatingBy eating
with yourwith your
children, it ischildren, it is
more likelymore likely
that mealsthat meals
will bewill be
healthier andhealthier and
moremore
balanced.balanced.

5.  Eating as aEating as a
family helpsfamily helps
children tochildren to
developdevelop
proper tableproper table
manners andmanners and
social skillssocial skills

6.  It encourages goodIt encourages good
communicationcommunication

7.  It providesIt provides
anan
opportunityopportunity
for qualityfor quality
time as atime as a
familyfamily

8.  StrengthensStrengthens
familyfamily
traditionstraditions

9. Children who dineChildren who dine
regularly with theirregularly with their
families:families:
 Are less likelyAre less likely
to smoke, useto smoke, use
drugs ordrugs or
alcoholalcohol

10.  Perform betterPerform better
in schoolin school

11.  Have a lowerHave a lower
rate of teenrate of teen
pregnancypregnancy

12.  Are lessAre less
likely tolikely to
developdevelop
weightweight
problemsproblems

13.  Eating togetherEating together
as a family is soas a family is so
much more thanmuch more than
sharing meals.sharing meals.
It’s anIt’s an
opportunity toopportunity to
grow and passgrow and pass
on familyon family
values.values.

14.  ResearchResearch
shows thatshows that
families whofamilies who
eat togethereat together
maintain amaintain a
strong bond.strong bond.
Children growChildren grow
up so fast soup so fast so
take the time totake the time to
sit and eat as asit and eat as a
family.family.

15. If you have any questions,If you have any questions,
please talk to a WICplease talk to a WIC
nutritionist.nutritionist.