A Chinese family sharing a meal together. (Photo : Getty Images)
Survey results revealed at the annual Family Meal Day that about 70 percent of Chinese eat with their families every day.
Most of the respondents said that it is more convenient to eat at home. People feel more secure when eating with loved ones.
Aside from the majority who eat at home, there are 4 percent of people who come home two to three times a week to dine with their families.
Over 60 percent of the respondents said that aside from feeling secure, they also feel that it is healthier to eat home-made food. Most common meals are traditional Chinese dishes and Western-style food on several occasions.
In 2012, the College of Human Ecology of the Cornell University released a report stating the benefits of eating together with family.
Acoording to the paper entitled "Do Family Meals Really Make a Difference?" families eating together elicit a feeling of security and love.
The report said, "The routine of family meals can generate feelings of closeness and comfort. Even when mealtimes feel hectic or disorganized, take comfort in the fact that the simple act of regular mealtimes may be providing your child with stability."
The study stated that as quality time is important, frequency of the meals is just as significant. Researchers from Cornell suggest that a minimum of three family meals shared together would render good results.
"Mealtimes have been noted as one of the most common times children communicate with parents, so if possible, guard your mealtimes from outside distractions," the report said.
The study from the prestigious American university added that having family meals provides long-term health advantages.
According to the report, "a more basic analysis suggested that family meals have a significant beneficial effect on child mental health, substance use, and delinquency."
