Correlations in perceived food use between the family food preparer and their spouses and children

Previous research has demonstrated that family members' eating habits are similar. We hypothesized that family members' eating habits would be predicted by the eating habits of the person who prepares the majority of the family's meals and the number of meals the family shares. Participants were 282 members of religious organizations who identified themselves as family food preparers (FFPs), and provided information about their own and their family members' eating habits. Results revealed that FFP fruit and vegetable intake predicted the fruit and vegetable intake of spouses, children, and adolescents (p < 0.01), and that FFP consumption of high-fat foods predicted the consumption of high-fat foods of spouses and children (p < 0.01). Child fruit and vegetable consumption was also influenced by shared meals: the more meals the child shared with the FFP, the stronger the relationship of FFP fruit and vegetable intake with child fruit and vegetable intake (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that dietary interventions targeting the FFP may benefit other family members. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.