Introduction
Childhood overweight is a growing health concern globally. Studies have explored various factors contributing to this issue, including family meal practices. Specifically, the frequency of family meals and the presence of television during meals have been investigated for their potential influence on children’s weight. This study delves into these associations across nine European countries, examining whether regional differences exist between Northern and Southern & Eastern Europe.
Study Design and Methods
This research utilized a cross-sectional study design, gathering data from schoolchildren across Europe as part of the PRO GREENS project. Participants were children aged 10-12 years from schools in Northern European countries (Sweden, Netherlands, Iceland, Germany, and Finland) and Southern & Eastern European countries (Portugal, Greece, Bulgaria, and Slovenia). Data collection involved children reporting on their family meal habits, specifically the frequency of family breakfasts and dinners, and whether television was typically on during dinner. To determine overweight status, parental reports of children’s height and weight were used to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI), with overweight cut-off points defined by the International Obesity Task Force. Statistical analysis, using logistic regression, adjusted for factors such as age, gender, and parental education to isolate the effects of family meal habits and TV viewing.
Key Findings
The study sample revealed that 21% of the children were classified as overweight, with significant variation across countries, ranging from a high of 35% in Greece to a low of 10% in the Netherlands. Interestingly, the analysis found limited overall associations between family meals, TV viewing during dinner, and childhood overweight across all nine European nations. However, notable regional differences emerged. Children in Northern European countries showed a statistically significant increased likelihood of being overweight if they had fewer family breakfasts and more frequently watched television during dinner, compared to their counterparts in other regions.
Discussion and Conclusion
The study’s findings suggest that the relationship between family meal habits, TV viewing during dinner, and childhood overweight is not uniform across Europe. While overall associations were weak, the significant link observed in Northern Europe highlights the potential importance of these factors in this region. The discrepancies between Northern and Southern & Eastern Europe could be attributed to variations in dietary patterns during family meals, as well as broader differences in health-related lifestyles. Further research is needed to explore these regional nuances in greater detail to develop targeted and effective interventions to promote healthy eating habits and prevent childhood overweight across diverse European populations.
