Abstract
In this chapter, the American family meal is examined. Recent trends in eating by both individuals and families are explored. Frequency of eating various meals, time spent eating, and which, if any, family members participate in these meals are studied. Effects of parental employment, income, and other characteristics indicate the frequency and time spent in some family meals are constrained by resources such as time and by parental work schedules. Foods currently consumed at family dinner tables are presented.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Meals in Science and Practice |
Subtitle of host publication | Interdisciplinary Research and Business Applications |
Publisher | Elsevier Ltd |
Pages | 190-218 |
Number of pages | 29 |
ISBN (Print) | 9781845694036 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2009 Mar |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:Also, we will very briefly examine the role that the social normative meal takes in the debates over eating, and the decline of the family. Gillis (1996) argues the roots of the normative features that Anglo-Americans associate with family meals developed during Victorian times. Finally, we observe that family meals may follow both ethnic and regional lines, providing examples. Throughout the chapter, we will present findings from a study of more than 300 families living in the Houston MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area). An MSA is defined as a ‘densely settled concentration of population of 50 000’ and ‘comprises the central county or counties containing the core, plus adjacent outlying counties having a high degree of social integration with the central county as measured through commuting’ ( United States Census Bureau, 2000a ). The project was funded through a grant from USDA-ERS-Food Assistance and Nutrition Research Program, ‘Parental Time, Role Strain, Coping, and Children's Diet and Nutrition’ (43-3AEM-0-80075) ( McIntosh et al., 2006 ). The views expressed in this paper do not necessarily reflect those of USDA. This project will be referred to as the ‘Houston project’ throughout the chapter.
Copyright:
Copyright 2016 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Agricultural and Biological Sciences
- General Biochemistry,Genetics and Molecular Biology
- General Medicine