Exploring the mental health benefits of shared mealtimes with family
Heading in to Mental Health Awareness Week, AXA Health, provider of health insurance, have been looking at the importance of shared mealtimes for families.
We caught up with Liverpool FC players, Ibrahima Konaté and Vitezslav Jaros, fresh off the back of their Premier League title win, who shared their thoughts on communal family meals. You can watch the video below.
We’ve also conducted a survey of 2,000 parents, to find out their views and habits around family mealtimes. You can find the survey data below.
Unlocking family connections: the power of shared mealtimes with Liverpool FC
AXA Health sat down exclusively with football players Ibrahima Konate and Vitezslav Jaros from Liverpool FC to understand how prioritising shared mealtimes, despite a busy schedule, can positively impact mental wellbeing.
Konate shared, “It’s very important - growing up in the academy, and at home I have six brothers and a sister plus my parents, and more than 50 people at the Academy, so when I started to live alone and have dinner alone, I felt the difference completely. The mood when you eat with people, it’s better”.
When asked about discussing difficult topics over mealtimes, Konate went on to say “I think it’s the right moment to talk about it. Everyone enjoys the food, and they can be honest with you because they have something to do, not just speak.”
Jaros also highlighted the significance of being present when you can find the time to eat with loved ones: “For me, it’s important. It’s a chance to have a good conversation and enjoy time together. Talking about growing up, he added: “It was dinner together, everyone at the table at the same time, none of the I’m not hungry yet or anything.You can talk about your day and what’s going on.”
See the full interview below.
Our latest research findings
A new study from AXA Health has revealed the importance of shared mealtimes.
The key findings from our survey are:
- More than 6 in 10 (61%) families have technology present at the dinner table
- 77% would like to eat together as a family more often
- 85% of families agree that eating dinner together allows their children an outlet to discuss their thoughts and feelings
- 57% of parents feel happier as a result of shared family mealtimes
Over 6 in 10 of UK families have technology present at mealtimes
There have been 87,000 UK searches for ‘how to open up’ in the past month, on the lead up to Mental Health Awareness Week. Is the use of technology taking away opportunities to communicate about thoughts and feelings?
As the use of technology continues to creep into our everyday lives, Dr Imren Sterno, Lead Consultant Clinical Psychologist at AXA Health, shares, “Technology-free mealtimes support mental wellbeing by creating better communication, fostering stronger relationship bonds, and reducing stress”.
In the UK, family mealtimes are becoming less common, with the survey data revealing that over 1 in 5 (22%) families don’t eat together and only 43% eat together daily.
Even when families do sit down together, the study revealed a growing digital divide, with 61% having technology present at mealtimes, and one in four regularly eating in front of the TV.
Technology is particularly common in households with children aged 4–12, where nearly a quarter (23%) use phones or tablets during family meals.
For the 78% of the UK choosing to dedicate daily time to eat together, 29% said the activity of shared mealtimes is helping their children to feel less lonely, and a quarter of people said it made their child feel less worried. 
1 in 3 UK parents and children have the TV on in the room at mealtimes.
Clinical Psychologist reveals the importance of screen-free dinners for mental wellbeing
Dr Imren Sterno highlights, “Eating is a daily function that we all perform, which is essential for our existence. However, mealtimes also contribute to how we learn to socialise and build connections with others, as well as supporting emotional regulation and encouraging open conversations, where we can learn about each other.
There is an array of research that demonstrates how important shared mealtimes can be, and how they positively impact overall well-being. Having a regular opportunity to sit together for a meal can help ease feelings of isolation and disconnection and can encourage open and honest conversations.
In today’s busy lives, where we are all juggling multiple tasks, both mentally and physically, and where screens dominate much of our time, taking time out to eat together has never been more important. They provide a much-needed opportunity to share difficulties and problem-solve together, or just to chat and have fun. Meal times offer much more than just fulfilling a basic function.”
Are people eating together as much as they like?
78% eat together as a family, with 43% saying they do it everyday - but 77% of people say they'd like to do it more often.
Of those that don't eat together, 30% of those with children between 13 and 17 years old said it’s because they eat different foods and 17% don't eat together because they said they didn't want to. This compares to only 7% with children who are 1-12 years old.
Over half of UK parents think shared mealtimes strengthen family relationships
In the UK, 85% of families agree that eating dinner together allows their children an outlet to discuss their thoughts and feelings by dedicating time to ensure open communication between parents and kids.
The data revealed that over half of parents think that eating together as a family strengthens relationships (51%), along with giving families time to talk about the highs and lows of the day (44%). Over 1 in 3 (37%) also see how it makes children feel happier and more valued (37%), and gives children time to discuss important issues (36%).
Shared mealtimes not only benefit children, but parents too, with 57% reporting they feel happier. 7 in 10 UK parents also highlighted that it's helped them to feel more confident in being able to help their children open up about their own thoughts and feelings.
Reviewed by Dr Imren Sterno
Dr Imren Sterno is Consultant Clinical Psychologist at AXA Health. Imren has 2 PhDs and over 15 years clinical and operational experience and expertise from the field of mental health and organisational psychology. Her role at AXA Health is multi-layered and involves leadership, service development, clinical policy and governance of multiple mental health products and services.
Methodology
AXA Health surveyed 2,000 nationally representative UK parents with children of any age in April 2025. Survey questions included if respondents eat together as a family in the evening, how frequently, reasons why people don’t eat together, desire to eat together more often, technology use at shared mealtimes, benefits for both the family and children and the impact on mental wellbeing and opening up.
