Associations of family meals with adolescent perception of family relationship and compliance with parental guidance in Hong Kong: results of a representative cross-sectional survey

Wong, R. S., Tung, K. T. S., Wong, W. H. S., Ho, F. K. W., Tso, W. W. Y., Yip, P. S. F., Wong, C. K. H., Fan, S. Y. S. and Ip, P. (2021) Associations of family meals with adolescent perception of family relationship and compliance with parental guidance in Hong Kong: results of a representative cross-sectional survey. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(10), 5402. (doi: 10.3390/ijerph18105402) (PMID:34069361) (PMCID:PMC8158745)

Abstract

Family meals are beneficial for adolescent development, but evidence from Chinese populations has been limited. This study aimed to examine the associations between family meal frequency and adolescent perception of family relationship and compliance with parental guidance in Hong Kong. During the period from October to December 2016, a stratified random sample of 3359 students were recruited from 25 secondary schools in Hong Kong. Students completed questionnaires about family characteristics, relationship quality, and meal frequency by paper-and-pencil in class. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine the associations between family meal frequency and perceived family relationship and compliance with parental guidance overall and by subgroups. After adjusting for sociodemographic and school confounders, family breakfast and dinner frequency were significantly associated with adolescent compliance (breakfast: B = 0.07, p < 0.001; dinner: B 0.07, p < 0.001) and perception of family relationship (breakfast: B = 0.10, p < 0.001; dinner: B = 0.25, p < 0.001). Risk factors for infrequent family meals included older age, not born in Hong Kong, less educated fathers, and unmarried parents. Our findings support the associations of regular family meals with adolescent perception of high family bond and compliance with parental guidance. Interventions are needed to enhance quality family meal interactions in disadvantaged families.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: The research is supported by the Department of Health of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region and the Family Planning Association of Hong Kong.
• Keywords: Adolescent development, family functioning, family meal, family dinner, family breakfast.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Ho, Dr Frederick

Creator Roles

Ho, F. K.W.: Investigation, Writing – review and editing

• Authors: Wong, R. S., Tung, K. T. S., Wong, W. H. S., Ho, F. K. W., Tso, W. W. Y., Yip, P. S. F., Wong, C. K. H., Fan, S. Y. S., and Ip, P.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health
• Journal Name: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Publisher: MDPI
• ISSN: 1661-7827
• ISSN (Online): 1660-4601
• Published Online: 19 May 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 The Authors
• First Published: First published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18(10): 5402
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License