Nurturing Future Generations: Household Food Practices of Canadian Children and Family Meal Participation

Publication: Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
26 February 2016

Abstract

Purpose: Food knowledge and skills appear to have declined in the general population over recent decades and may be contributing to negative outcomes and poor nutritional health. It is pertinent to observe the food skills and habits of Canadians, particularly Canadian youth.
Methods: Data from the Canadian Community Health Survey 2013 Rapid Response on Food Skills (n = 10 098) were used to examine the involvement of children in food preparation processes by identifying and describing the role of children in meal preparation as well as the practice of family meals. Variables were examined to assess differentiations between socio-demographic groupings (marital status, education, and income).
Results: Results indicate a moderate to high level of child participation in Canadian household food-related activities, with two-thirds of households with children having children involved in choosing meals and grocery shopping and one-third of children helping with meal preparation. Some differences were observed between region, education level, and Aboriginal and immigration status. Seventy-five percent of respondents participated in family meals.
Conclusions: Data from this study contribute to the current discussion regarding loss of food skills and the significance of family meals on social and health indicators. Results suggest a range of interventions for dietitians including improving the quality of foods prepared at home and campaigns to promote family meals.

Résumé

Objectif. Les connaissances et les compétences en matière d'alimentation semblent avoir diminué dans la population générale au cours des dernières décennies, ce qui pourrait entraîner des conséquences négatives et une mauvaise santé nutritionnelle. Il est donc pertinent d'observer les habitudes en matière de compétences alimentaires des Canadiens, particulièrement des jeunes.
Méthodes. Les données de la section de réponses rapides sur les Compétences alimentaires de l'Enquête sur la santé dans les collectivités canadiennes 2013 (n = 10 098) ont été utilisées pour examiner l'implication des enfants dans les processus de préparation des aliments par l'identification et la description du rôle des enfants dans la préparation des repas ainsi que des pratiques liées aux repas en famille. Des variables ont été examinées afin d'évaluer les différences entre les groupes sociodémographiques (état matrimonial, scolarité et revenu).
Résultats. Les résultats indiquent une participation de moyenne à élevée des enfants aux activités liées à la nourriture dans les ménages canadiens. En effet, les enfants participent au choix des repas et à l'achat des aliments dans les deux tiers des ménages, et un tiers des enfants participent à la préparation des repas. On a observé certaines différences entre les régions, le niveau de scolarité et le statut d'immigrant ou d'autochtone. Soixante-quinze pour cent des répondants participaient aux repas en famille.
Conclusions. Les données de cette étude contribuent aux discussions actuelles concernant la perte de compétences alimentaires et l'importance des repas en famille pour les indicateurs de la santé et sociaux. Les résultats suggèrent une variété d'interventions pour les diététistes, y compris l'amélioration de la qualité des aliments préparés à la maison et des campagnes de sensibilisation aux repas en famille.

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

cover image Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Volume 77Number 3September 2016
Pages: 113 - 118

History

Version of record online: 26 February 2016

Authors

Affiliations

Joyce Slater PhD
Human Nutritional Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB
Adriana N. Mudryj MSc
Human Nutritional Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB

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1. Full-Time Employment, Diet Quality, and Food Skills of Canadian Parents

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