280 The Journal for Nurse Practitioners - JNP Volume 8, Issue 4, April 2012 ORIGINAL RESEARCH A dolescence is a critical stage of development that influences future maturity and lifelong behaviors. During adolescence, high-risk behaviors, such as substance abuse, depression and suicide, unhealthy eating, and eating disorders, commonly emerge. Although multiple variables contribute to the development of these high-risk behaviors, the research literature suggests that family meal frequency may be positively associated with adolescent health. 1-3 The purpose of this study was to assess the knowl- edge and practice habits of nurse practitioners (NPs) related to family meals. In this article, a family meal is defined as a meal when most family members eat together. The occurrence of at least 5 meals per week is considered a frequent family meal. The term substance abuse is defined as use of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs. The terms extreme weight control behaviors/disordered eating refer to binge eating and chronic dieting. DRUG ABUSE Teens are at risk for drug abuse because the brain of a teenager is more susceptible to addiction. Preventing drug use during these formative years is critical. 4 Young people who drink before the age of 15 are 4 times more likely to become alcoholics than those who don’t drink before age 21. 5 Research findings from the Columba Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) suggest a young person who reaches the age of 21 without smoking, using illegal drugs, or abusing alcohol most likely will not have a problem with abusing these substances. 2 Fulkerson et al 6 found that the frequency of family meals is a protective factor (external developmental asset) that may curtail high-risk behaviors among youth. Another study suggests that the most influen- tial people in a teenager’s life who can influence the preven- tion of these behaviors are their parents. 2 Teenagers who have infrequent family meals are twice as likely to use tobacco or marijuana and indicate Benefits of Family Meals With Adolescents: Nurse Practitioners’ Perspective Sharon M. Fruh, FNP-BC, Madhuri S. Mulekar, PhD, Heather Hall, NNP-BC, Jayne Fulkerson, PhD, Anita King, FNP-BC, Kenda Jezek, PhD, and Linda Roussel, DSN ABSTRACT Participating in at least 5 meals a week as a family can positively impact an adoles- cent’s life. This study assessed nurse practitioners’ (NPs’) knowledge of family meal benefits to teens and the time they spent assessing and educating families regarding family meals. Results suggested that NPs were fairly aware of the benefits, with younger NPs more knowledgeable than older NPs; however, only a small percentage of time was spent on assessment and education related to family meal frequency and benefits. The more knowledgeable the practitioners were on this topic, the more often they assessed and educated patients. Keywords: adolescence, family meals, health promotion, unhealthy diets © 2012 American College of Nurse Practitioners