A recent study found that girls who ate with their families at least five times per week were less likely to participate in weight control behaviors -- taking laxatives, diet pills, or forcing themselves to vomit -- that might lead to eating disorders. Other less extreme behaviors, like fasting and smoking to lose weight were unaffected by family meal time. In addition, boys in the study who ate meals with their families were actually more at risk of developing unhealthy weight control habits, surprisingly.

Researchers say that this suggests that while family meal time can benefit teens, what happens at that table has an impact on teens as well. Juggling schedules to make time for eating together, creating healthy, nutritious dishes, and having positive interactions at the table are all components of healthy family meals.

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