Peer-reviewed article

Fathering, family meals, and child health and well‐being: A life course perspective

Jerica M. Berge, Khadija Mohamed, Saltanat Childress, Kevin M. Roy, Shirley Ann Russ · 10 Mar 2026

Abstract

Objective: The goal was to examine father's perspectives of family meals and their role during the meal. Background: Family meals are protective for child health. However, little is known about influential factors that can ensure family meal occurrence. Parents are one such influential factor for family meal occurrence. Mothers' perspectives and family meals have been well researched, but fathers' have not. Method: = 13) from different cultural backgrounds (i.e., Asian, Black, mixed, White) in two-parent households participated in a qualitative interview. A hybrid deductive and inductive qualitative approach was used in analysis. Results: Eleven main themes were found from three research questions: (a) What purpose(s) do family meals serve in your family? (b) What is the role of fathers regarding parenting practices at family meals? and (c) What are barriers and facilitators of family meals? Conclusion: Findings about the purpose of family meals suggested family meals were passed on intergenerationally, created an environment for connection and trust, taught important life lessons and skills, and provided routines and rituals for families. Findings related to fathers' roles showed that fathers had family meal rules and engaged in food parenting practices during the meals. Findings related to barriers and facilitators of family meals included busy schedules and picky eating as barriers; facilitators included reducing other obligations, involving the family, and being creative. Implications or Recommendations: Engaging fathers in developing family meal interventions may be beneficial for child health and to lay a foundation for health across the life course.