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Forward2026 Spring Symposium Recorded Meal Session: Shared Meals as a Vital Sign of Wellbeing
While nutrition professionals routinely discuss what people eat, emerging research suggests that how and with whom people eat may also play an important role in wellbeing. Recent findings from large-scale international studies are expanding our understanding of the relationship between meal sharing, emotional wellbeing, and life satisfaction.
In this session, Micah Kaats and Michele Lefebvre explore the evolving science of shared meals, including evidence from global population research and emerging wellbeing data. Participants will learn how togetherness and shared meals can be incorporated into everyday nutrition practice through practical, evidence-informed strategies that support individuals, families, and communities. Clinicians will leave the session with a better understanding of how they can translate these insights into everyday nutrition practice.
Learning Objectives
After completing this activity, nutrition professionals will better be able to:
- Describe the role shared meals and conviviality play within the Mediterranean lifestyle and their relationship to wellbeing.
- Summarize emerging research linking shared meals with emotional wellbeing and social connection across populations.
- Identify practical ways shared meals and togetherness can be incorporated into everyday practice settings.
Additional Information
Course summary
- 1.00 CDR
Micah Kaats is a PhD candidate in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School. He also serves as a Research Associate for the Wellbeing Research Centre at Oxford University and Senior Analyst for the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen. His research focuses on the drivers and downstream effects of subjective wellbeing and social capital. He is a co-author of the 2025 World Happiness Report chapter on sharing meals, social connections, and happiness around the world. He has designed, implemented, and supervised studies of more than 35,000 participants in over 32 countries.
Micah holds master’s degrees in applied ethics and Economic Policy from Utrecht University, and a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of Pennsylvania. Much of his work is inspired by the observation that many of the best ideas begin over a shared meal.
Michele Lefebvre, RDN, MBA, grew up as an Italian American, and Barilla has always been an iconic brand close to her heart. As Barilla America’s Nutrition & Wellbeing Manager, Michele leads nutrition research and science-based communications, working closely with global teams to develop programs that support the company and its products worldwide. As an RDN, Michele brings deep expertise in nutrition, menu development, and translating research into clear, impactful strategies.
Prior to Barilla, Michele spent a decade working with Cornell University’s Campus Dining, where she helped embed nutrition into a culinary driven organization and make science more relatable to consumers. At the center of her work is a simple belief: some of the most meaningful conversations begin by sharing a meal.
Disclosures:
Michele Lefebvre, RDN, MBA, has the following disclosures to report: she is an employee of Barilla.
Shared Meals as a Vital Sign of Wellbeing awards 1.0 CPEU in accordance with the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s CPEU Prior Approval Program.
The responsible provider for this activity is Barilla.
Funding from non-CPE revenue for CPE planning, development, review, and / or presentation has been provided by Barilla.
Available Credit
- 1.00 CDR