Mealtime Preferences among Indian Families

Westernisation of diet is a crucial cause of obesity and other health-related disorders in children. Hence mothers being primary caregivers of children reflect anxiety about health and well-being of children. They wish to inculcate healthy eating habits among children. A potent solution to this problem is nutritious diet and presence of positive (healthy) mealtime environment at home. Therefore, the main objective of present study is to investigate mealtime preferences among family members in India. Data have been collected from 473 mothers of children in age category 4–11 years. Data have been analysed using descriptive statistics and cluster analysis. The findings reveal three clusters of respondents on the basis of their mealtime preferences-high mealtime preferred, mealtime ignorant and low mealtime preferred. High mealtime preferred understand the importance of family mealtime togetherness and prefer at least one meal together with family members daily. Due to busy schedule, low mealtime preferred respondents do not find time to take meal together with family. Mealtime ignorant families give less importance to family meal togetherness. However, contribution of positive mealtime environment in changing unhealthy dietary habits of children cannot be ignored. This study suggests practical implications for parents, paediatricians and other health specialists.