Revive the Tradition of Family Dinner

3.
        Family dinners have been decreasing in frequency in modern times because of fast paced lives, separated families, and pure lack of time.  Because they have become less habitual, they have become even more important.
 
        Healthy eating habits are the main defense children today have against obesity.  How one eats follows that person throughout his or her life, as well as affects every aspect of it.  If children develop bad habits, such as only consuming junk food or eating in front of the T.V., then these habits will stick with them.  The children will grow into adults with bad eating habits, who will then pass those habits onto their children.  The endless cycle of malnutrition will trickle down into each successive generation.  Family dinners promote healthier eating habits because it requires one to sit down and prepare a meal.  Meals require thought, preventing the ease of simply ordering take-out or going through a drive-thru.  When planning a dinner, one must choose vegetables, side dishes, and a main, core food item.  If children witness the care put into planning a meal, they will learn how to be grateful for what they eat.  Eating dinner as a family also usually includes sitting down at a table, instead of plopping on the couch in front of the T.V.  When one eats in front of the T.V., one does not feel how full they have become, and therefore continues eating, even after they have reached the point of satiating their hunger.  Eating at the table also allows parents to control the portion sizes of their children’s meals.  They can supervise the amount of fruits and vegetables their children consume, and make sure that they are getting adequate nutrition.  Preparing a meal and eating at table seem like simple feats, but the consequences of not doing these tasks are serious and grave.  Family dinners provide a way to complete and teach these skills to the next generation.
 
       Family dinners provide an easy and convenient way to ward off obesity in children and adults.  Because obesity has become a serious issue in America, as well as the rest of the world, instituting regular family dinners is even more important.