Integrated Human Studies - Family meals and health

The Impact of Family Meals On Adult Health

Cleeve Calder is conducting this study: she is currently seeking volunteers (see below)

The surroundings in which we live condition our state of wellness, ranging from weight and bodily function, to feelings of vitality and happiness. One environment that has the potential to influence our health, including weight and food consumption behaviours, is that of the family meal. Cleeve

There have been a number of studies examining the significance of family meals for the wellbeing of children and teenagers, although little is known about its relevance to adult health. This is the object of the present study.

This research will provide further information about environmental factors shaping healthy adult eating patterns, and in so doing help establish more effective preventative measures against overweight and obesity.

Cleeve seeks volunteers aged 18 to 50 to complete a questionnaire asking about general background, lifestyle, childhood and current family meal environment, and health characteristics. This should take 20-30 minutes at most and may be completed electronically (via the web) or on paper.

All participants will remain completely anonymous. No information received can be traced back to participants.

To participate in this study, simply complete a questionnaire using one of two methods outlined below:

Electronic Questionnaire

To download and complete the questionnaire:

1) Obtain a password to protect your anonymity. To do this send a blank email to familymeal@anhb.uwa.edu.au and you will be emailed the password within minutes (if you experience any problems either in obtaining the password or opening the questionnaire, please email Cleeve directly).

2) To download the questionnaire, click here (Please save it onto your computer first and re-open the saved questionnaire once you have exited the website)

3) When you open the saved questionnaire, follow the instructions to fill it in and return it to our research assistant kconnolly@anhb.uwa.edu.au

Printed Questionnaire:

To receive a printed questionnaire, send an email to ccalder@anhb.uwa.edu.au with subject title ‘request for family meal questionnaire’, and state your postal address.

A questionnaire and a reply paid envelope will be sent to you. Once you have completed the questionnaire, seal it in the envelope and send it back to us.

If you would like further information on the study, please contact Cleeve by email ccalder@anhb.uwa.edu.au.

This study is being conducted by Cleeve Calder and supervised by Assoc. Professor Neville Bruce, Centre for Integrated Human Studies. It has received approval from the UWA Human Ethics Committee.