The family meal not only fosters healthy eating habits for children, it also enhances family communication and connection. In fact, the simple act of eating meals together can set the stage for young people making more responsible choices in life.

A 2003 study by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, found that teens who have dinner with their families five or more nights a week are:

32 percent more likely to never have tried cigarettes;

45 percent likelier never to have tried alcohol and;

24 percent more inclined to not smoke marijuana.

"Young people who share mealtimes with family are more likely to do better in school, feel more connected to their parents and adopt healthy behavior," said Dr. Peter L. Benson of Search Institute. "Family meals can help children stay connected with their family in ways that help to shape their identity, values, and priorities."

Search Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting healthy children, youth, and communities, has focused its work on identifying and sharing the experiences, opportunities, and relationships young people need to thrive. Called Developmental Assets, they provide a common sense framework for raising successful, healthy children and teenagers.

Meal time is an easy way for parents to work on building important Developmental Assets in their children every day. For example:

* Supporting young people with care and attention

* Guiding them toward a life based on positive values

* Helping them develop social competencies and life skills

* Celebrating their uniqueness and affirming their positive identity

Eating meals as a family is a great opportunity to learn more about one another's interests, including your family's musical or movie interests. Choose one night a week as music or movie night and alternate who gets to decide. Use these occasions to initiate conversation by asking questions to spark mealtime discussions, like:

"If you could have dinner with any person in the world, who would it be and why?"

"Tell about the most surprising thing that happened to you this week."

Parents don't have it easy when trying to compete with the latest gadgets, the Internet and the busyness of young people's activities and friendship networks. That is why parents must get creative when it comes to getting everyone to sit down and eat together.

Here are some ideas on how to make family meals special and therefore, bring your kids to the table:

* Choose different meals to eat together as a family

* Turn off the television, phone, and other things that can interrupt family meals

* Use Saturday or Sunday morning for a family breakfast or brunch

* Designate an evening during the week that's completely devoted to family

* Get children involved. Give them responsibilities for meal preparation and cleanup.

* When they're older, let them choose a food item and prepare it for the family

The asset-building approach to child development has been shown to significantly reduce high-risk behavior, like drinking alcohol and drug use, in young people. Regular family meals play an important part in building assets and keeping critical lines of communication open.

- Courtesy of ARA Content