Dakota County hopes to bring kids to table

Research shows that dining with their families can positively influence the lives of many young people -- and that's the kind of influence that Dakota County officials want to encourage.

So beginning in September, families can sign up to take part in a program called "Eat. Talk. Connect!"

The goal is to eat at least five family meals a week, which will not only help families stay connected but may also qualify them to compete for prizes and rewards.

Dakota County is following the lead of Carver County, which launched its own program in February 2006. Building on that, officials in Dakota County tailored their initiative. It kicks off Sept. 22, which is National Family Day, a coast-to-coast movement promoting family meals as a way to keep kids off drugs and booze.

"We're trying to support parents in turning off the distractions and connecting with children," said Mary Montagne, who supervises the health promotions unit at the Dakota County Health Department.

The more often children eat dinner with their families, the less likely they are to smoke, drink, use illegal drugs or have thoughts of suicide, Montagne said.

"The research shows that children who eat five or more meals with their families are less likely to be involved in risky behaviors," she said.

Teens who eat dinner with their families are more likely to do well in school, be happier and have healthier eating habits. They also are more apt to have positive peer relationships, research shows.

"Who would have thought that doing something as simple as eating meals together as a family could have such a profound effect on families?" said Tim Mozey, a spokesman for Dakota County and supporter of the effort.

Keeping it simple

The county has free materials to give out, even a booklet on starting conversations, to help families establish a meaningful dinnertime, Montagne said.

"It doesn't have to be anything fancy," she said. "The main purpose is to sit down with your family, have a meal and connect."

It seems to take more effort these days to make that mealtime happen than years ago, she said, when supper together was by far the norm.

But now families are busier than ever, with packed schedules of kids' activities and more homes with two parents working. And while many people used to refuse to take phone calls during the dinner hour, now there are cell phone calls and text messages coming in, too, often while a show blares on the television.

"It's a challenge to find a time when everybody can sit down and eat, regardless of whether it's a takeout meal or home-cooked," Montagne said. "So the challenge is to sit down together and eat a meal and talk to each other, without the distractions of TV or cell phones or texting."

People can call for materials or apply online. Those interested can register and log their meals daily for the program, which will go through the end of the year. Along the way, those participating will get resources, tips and other information, Montagne said.

Research behind the program

Montagne pointed to data that show why such programs are needed:

In 2007, 59 percent of U.S. teens reported having dinner with their families at least five times a week, according to research by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University. It found that one of the most effective ways for parents to be engaged in their kids' lives is through regular meals together.

But conversely, the researchers report, teens who had fewer than three meals a week with their families were:

• three times likelier to have used marijuana.

• three and a half times likelier to have abused prescription drugs.

• three and a half times likelier to have used some illicit drug other than prescription drugs or pot.

• two and a half times likelier to have used tobacco.

• one and a half times likelier to have used alcohol.

The research also shows that teens who have infrequent family dinners are twice as likely to report that half or more of their friends consume alcohol.

Some studies have shown that the impact is much greater on girls than boys.

In May, more than 30 professionals and parents in Dakota County were trained in the public awareness program, which Montagne said will focus on working with schools to better reach families, as well as with faith-based organizations and businesses. The group listened as Renee Wixon, a Carver County health planner, spoke on why her county began the program in 2006, and of the good response from families.

Minnetonka and Hopkins schools also use the program that was started by the Carver County Health Partnership.

For this year, the Dakota County Public Health Department received a grant from UCare for $15,000 to support the new initiative.

It's hoping that "Eat. Talk. Connect!" will help bring together people with common interests.

"We're hoping as part of the project to get people to submit tips and recipes and share how they've been able to have more family meals together," Montagne said, "so we can learn from each other."

Joy Powell • 952-882-9017