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The Relationship between Family Meals and Mental Health Problems in Japanese Elementary School Children: A Cross-Sectional Study

Author

Listed:
  • Noriko Kameyama

    (Graduate School of Integrated Pharmaceutical and Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Yukina Morimoto

    (Graduate School of Integrated Pharmaceutical and Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan)

  • Ayako Hashimoto

    (Department of Food and Nutrition, Faculty of Home Economics, Kyoto Women’s University, Kyoto 605-8501, Japan
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Hiroko Inoue

    (Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, Faculty of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Toyo University, Tokyo 374-0193, Japan
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Ikuko Nagaya

    (Department of Food and Nutrition, Gifu City Women’s College, Gifu 501-0192, Japan)

  • Kozue Nakamura

    (Gifu City Health Center, Gifu 500-8701, Japan)

  • Toshiko Kuwano

    (Graduate School of Integrated Pharmaceutical and Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan)

Abstract

The relative burden of mental health problems in children is increasing worldwide. Family meals have attracted attention as an effective modifiable factor for preventing children’s mental health problems. We examined the relationship between family meals and mental health problems in Japanese elementary schoolchildren. A cross-sectional, self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted with guardians of children aged 7 to 12 years in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Frequency of family meals and with whom the child eats breakfast, lunch, and dinner were assessed separately for weekdays and weekends/holidays. Mental health was assessed using the Japanese version of the parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Multivariate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for borderline/abnormal mental health status were calculated using logistic regression analysis. Of the 678 children, 24.9% had borderline/abnormal mental health status. Children eating breakfast with their family less than once a week (adjusted OR, 4.79; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.51–15.25) and those eating weekend breakfast alone (adjusted OR, 3.61; 95% CI, 1.42–9.23) had a higher prevalence of borderline/abnormal mental health status compared to those eating breakfast seven times a week and weekend breakfast with their family, respectively. These results suggest that family meals, especially breakfast, might be positively associated with better mental health in children.

Suggested Citation

  • Noriko Kameyama & Yukina Morimoto & Ayako Hashimoto & Hiroko Inoue & Ikuko Nagaya & Kozue Nakamura & Toshiko Kuwano, 2021. "The Relationship between Family Meals and Mental Health Problems in Japanese Elementary School Children: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-12, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:17:p:9281-:d:627984
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    1. O'Neil, A. & Quirk, S.E. & Housden, S. & Brennan, S.L. & Williams, L.J. & Pasco, J.A. & Berk, M. & Jacka, F.N., 2014. "Relationship between diet and mental health in children and adolescents: A systematic review," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 104(10), pages 31-42.
    2. Nuria Rubio-López & María Morales-Suárez-Varela & Yolanda Pico & Lorenzo Livianos-Aldana & Agustín Llopis-González, 2016. "Nutrient Intake and Depression Symptoms in Spanish Children: The ANIVA Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-13, March.
    3. Daise Fernanda Santos Souza Escobar & Thais Ferreira de Jesus & Priscilla Rayanne e Silva Noll & Matias Noll, 2020. "Family and School Context: Effects on the Mental Health of Brazilian Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-13, August.
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