THE EFFECT OF FAMILY MEAL PATTERNS ON THE PHYSICAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN IN ODEDA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OGUN STATE

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of family meal patterns on the physical, social and emotional development of children in Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria. A total of one hundred respondents were selected for the study using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, with mean and standard deviation employed to interpret the findings. The findings revealed that regular family meals are moderately practiced within the study area (x̄ = 2.90), the respondents acknowledged that meals containing appropriate combinations of carbohydrates, proteins, and vegetables enhance children’s energy levels and physical activities (x̄ = 3.00). Furthermore, shared meals were found to provide opportunities for communication (x̄ = 3.18) and emotional bonding between families (x̄ = 3.16). However, financial constraints (x̄ = 3.05), demanding work schedules (x̄ = 3.03), and certain cultural practices (x̄ = 2.75) were reported to hinder family mealtime practices. The study concludes that family meal practices play a significant role in children’s physical, social, and emotional development. It is therefore recommended that schools, community leaders, and health professionals should organize seminars and workshops to educate families on balanced diets, dietary diversity, and affordable nutritious meal planning. Community health agencies should encourage the use of locally sourced foods such as vegetables, and fruits to improve dietary quality despite financial constraints. Lastly, government and non-governmental organizations should conduct awareness campaigns to emphasize the benefits of regular family meals, so as to encourage improved practices across different households