Nearly three out of four (72%) of Irish adults typically eat their evening meal at the table, according to the latest Consumer Insights survey by Empathy Research.
Of 1,122 participants, this was higher among those aged over 35 years. The majority of 35-44 year olds (74%), 45-54 year olds (76%) and 55+ year olds (84%) eat dinner at the table, compared to 62% of 18-24 year olds and 58% of 25-34 year olds. Meanwhile, 78% of participants with children eat their evening meals at the table, which is a lot higher than those without kids (69%).
However, 27% of Irish adults admitted that they typically eat they evening meal in front of the television, with more men (29%) than women (24%) doing so. Unsurprisingly, the younger age groups are more likely to watch TV while eating dinner, with 35% of 18-24 year olds and 41% of 25-34 year olds prefering to do so. This is significantly higher than all the other age groups; 35-44 years (25%), 45-54 years (23%) and 55+ years (16%).
When asked how often they eat dinner with others in their household, 77% of participants said they regularly eat dinner with them, whether it be family or cohabitants. Somewhat unsurprisingly, this was more so among households with children with almost 58% saying they ‘always’ eat dinner with other people compared to 38% of those without children in their household.
Over two-fifths (43%) of survey participants said they plan their evening meals in advance most days while a further 21% said they plan their evening meals in advance every day. The majority of 35-44 year olds (72%) are more likely to have their evening meals planned in advance compared to all other age groups; 18-24 years (63%), 25-34 years (56%), 45-54 years (64%) and 55+ years (63%). As a result from this age group, those with children are far more likely to plan their evening meals in advance (71% vs. 59% without children).
The survey also asked respondents how often they buy something to eat in the same day when dinner shopping, and just 17% said they buy something the same day for dinner. This was driven strongly by the younger age groups and less common among older age groups; 18-24 years (41%), 25-34 years (20%), 35-44 years (16%), 45-54 years (15%) and 55+ years (8%). Furthermore, it was found than men are more likely (21%) to buy food for their dinner on the same day than it was for women (13%).
When it comes to time for eating dinner, 36% of Irish adults have it before 6pm most evenings. Interestingly, this was highest amongst those living in the Munster (43%) and Connacht/Ulster (41%) regions compared to Dublin (25%) and the Rest of Leinster (36%). A further 42% eat their evening meals between 6pm and 7pm while the remaining 22% eat dinner later than this.
Click here for more information from Empathy Research.
© 2014 - Checkout Magazine by Genna Patterson
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