A study from a team of South Korean researchers suggests that eating alone often may lead to poor eating habits and poor food choices. And the study found that people who ate alone more than twice a week had a greater risk of developing high blood pressure and heart disease.
For children, eating with their families is not only about stopping bad outcomes(结果)— it is also about developing good ones.
In 2014, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development(OECD)looked at data from nearly three—quarters of the world's countries. Among its findings was the fact that students who shared a main meal with their families were less likely(有可能的)to drop out of school. Children who eat a main meal with their families are also less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol(吸毒酗酒).
In the report, titled "The Importance of Family Dinners(VIII)" researchers say that "teens who have frequent(经常的)family dinners are more likely to say their parents know a lot about what's going on in their lives". They also say that when teens think they are closer to their parents, they are less likely to use drugs and alcohol.
Another study from the University of Montreal found that children who ate with their families experience long—term health benefits(好处). These children were in better health and drank fewer sugary soft drinks. These children also seemed to have better social skills and they were friendlier.