Tablante, Ivy Sychelle B. Prof.

Gerard Lico
M. Arch. 09-79456 Arch.203 – Architectural Mensuration
University of the Philippines, College of Architecture

“ANTHROPOMETRICS, THE DINNER TABLE, AND FILIPINO FAMILY TIES”

ABSTRACT

Anthropometrics has always been an influential consideration in the built environment.

People’s lives are daily encounters with products of design and anthropometrics - space,
clothing, electronics, and furniture, to name a few. The Filipino family whose culture is deeply
rooted in food and family ties is no exception to this experience. The most common
household furniture on which manifestation of such cultural behavior is best witnessed is the
dining table. This study looks at how a person’s perception of dining table shape and size
possibly affects his attitude towards family mealtime bonding. It aims to prove or disprove that
the dining table shape and size affects family ties, and attempts to come up with suggestions
on the most ideal shape and size for family bonding and interaction. Reference to completed
research studies and direct interviews with a random population sample are conducted in
pursuit of these goals.

As output, this paper suggests that there is a significant possibility that the size and shape of
the dining table may affect the interaction of family members during meals. The proximity of
family members to each other, dictated by the size and shape of the table, also affects the
engagingness of conversations. It further notes that a person’s perception of the dining table’s
shape and size does not affect his attitude towards family mealtime bonding --- it’s the other
way around. A person’s attitude and expectations towards family mealtime bonding, including
intimacy issues and socializing preferences, greatly affect his perception of the most efficient
dining table shape and size for family use. In this case, the person’s opinion (influenced by
cultural, social, and economic factors) and not anthropometry, dictates the degree of
closeness that is established during family mealtime bonding. As far as this study goes, the
dining table size and shape that best supports family mealtime interaction maybe the
rectangular 6-seater. Further research is encouraged to establish a stronger argument in
support of these conclusions.
INTRODUCTION

“Because our entire universe is made up of consciousness, we never really experience the universe
directly we just experience our consciousness of the universe, our perception of it, so right, our only
universe is perception.” - Alan Moore

Mealtimes are family bonding times. All cultural factors considered, this is especially true for
Filipino families.
If the dining table size and shape dictate the proximity of each family member to each other, it
is therefore interesting to explore if there is any direct relationship between family ties, bonds,
and degree of closeness developed during mealtimes and a person’s perception of the dining
table shape and size.

BACKGROUND

1. Anthropometrics

Definition and History of Anthropometrics. Anthropometry literally means measurement of

man or measurement of humans, derived from the Greek words anthropos, which means
“man”, and metron, meaning “a measure”.

Anthropometry and data analysis of human measurements started in 1654, when the German
physician Johann Sigismund Elsholtz published a thesis entitled Anthropometria. The thesis
described anthropometria as the study of human measure, and gave a synopsis of
measurements and proportions of the human body. It was intended for artists, astrologers,
and the study of medicine. Although Elsholtz’ paper first described anthropometry in 1654, it
would be many years later before further studies would take place. Many such studies
th
progressed and continued during the latter half of the 18 century.

Anthropometrics and the Industrial Revolution. The studies and researches in

anthropometrics grew during the time that the industrial revolution was starting to grow.
Beginning in the 1700’s, the industrial revolution did not become a powerful worldwide marker
until the 1880’s, at which time the United States, Canada, Australia, Europe, Russia, and
Japan have joined the new age. The revolution required mass production of goods that would
best fit and describe the customers. As large industries started to mass-produce chairs,
shoes, clothing, and many other products, anthropometry found a place in the design aspect
of production. Researches on product development based on anthropometric data continued
th
into the 20 century, giving way to the production of even more goods such as military
uniforms, equipment, and other everyday items. This fueled further the need to standardize
measurements. (“The Use of Factor Analysis in the Development of Hand Sizes for Glove Design” by T. McLain, University of Nebraska)
Furniture design and supply drastically changed during the revolution. Pieces that used to be
expensive and exclusive to the elite few became more economical and popular with the
middle class and the masses because of radical mass production. The furniture pieces that
we readily purchase from shops today are results of the standardization of measurements
first necessitated by the industrial revolution, and of hundreds of years of extensive
anthropometric study.

2. The Dining Table and Family Mealtimes

The Dining Table. As an important piece of home furniture, the dining table has as well been
mass-produced throughout the years. It has therefore followed a universally accepted
measurement standard that has dictated the sizes that are to be made available to the
market.
Today, the most common table shapes are square, round, oval, and rectangular. Sizes are
often classified by seating capacity.

Definition of the Family Meal. According to Lindsay Schwarz’ Effects of Family Mealtime
Practices on Household Inhabitants, “The family meal has the potential for providing youth
with opportunities for positive interactions with other family members, as well as for
contributing to good nutritional health. The United States Food and Drug Administration
defines a meal as a portion of a pyramid-based dietary intake that includes three to five food
groups. A family meal is more than a source of nutrition; family meals have been shown to
promote family connectedness, development of healthful eating behaviors, and the
consumption of a healthful diet. The family is more specifically defined as Any configuration of
people who regularly eat together, or from the same household food resources, and who
mutually influence decisions about food. A meal is considered a facilitator of food intake as
well as a planned social interaction that focuses on food. Family meals help children learn to
distinguish between edible versus inedible food, how to prepare foods, and how to behave in
a family meal setting.”

3. Perception

In psychology and the cognitive sciences, perception is defined as the process of acquiring,
interpreting, selecting, and organizing sensory information. It is the process by which
organisms interpret and organize sensation to produce a meaningful experience of the world.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

International opinion and research indicate that having meals together at the dinner table is
one of the most effective and common ways of bonding with the family. According to a
national survey made in the United States of over 1,000 married men and women across the
country, the daily ritual of gathering together at the dinner table is considered the most
important way to strengthen family ties. Despite the stressful, fast-paced nature of present
life, a family that makes time for meals together has better connections with each other.
(“Effects of Family Mealtime Practices on Household Inhabitants by Lindsay Schwartz) .

If there are two things that are deeply ingrained in the Filipino culture, they are: Food and
Family. Filipinos are a gregarious and sociable people who love to party, and food is often at
the center of their many celebrations. A typical Filipino meal often consists of white rice eaten
with a variety of dishes, all of which taste better when consumed together with family and
friends (http://southeastasianfood.about.com/od/foodfromphilippines). Filipino families enjoy close kin bonds,
and extended families living together under one roof is common practice. It is this love for
food and family that makes family mealtime bonding extra-special.

If anthropometry affects people’s behavior through dictating universally accepted

measurement standards of everyday goods and products, does a person’s perception of
(commercially available) dining table size and/or shape affect his image of, and therefore
attitude toward, family mealtime bonding and interaction?

SCOPE & LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

This paper will focus on perceptual awareness of dining table size and/or shape , but will limit
discussion to visual awareness. It will henceforth concentrate on the person’s attitude towards
family mealtime bonding based on this perception. We will limit the study to a specific age
group (25 to 50 years) of men and women living in the city (Philippines).

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Through the conduct of this study, we aim to:

1. prove or disprove that the dining table shape and/or size affects family ties,
2. understand the relationship between a person’s perception of dining table shape
and/or size and his attitude towards family mealtime bonding, and
 3. identify the perceived ideal dining table size and/or shape for family mealtime
bonding.

EXPECTED OUTPUT

At the end of this study, the following data turnout may be ascertained:
1. A clearer recognition of the effects (if any) of dining table size and/or shape on family
ties.
2. A concise understanding of the relationship between a person’s perception of dining
table shape and/or size and his attitude towards family mealtime bonding.
3. Suggestions on the dining table shape and/or size that best promote/s bonding and
interaction during family meals.

Method. Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods (open-ended and

forced-choice-questions surveys), the study was conducted by referring to research data
completed in the past, and by using a questionnaire to collect data. The questionnaire
consists of questions centered on the size and shape of the subjects’ dining table at home,
and other anthropometric, as well as subjective, data.

Table 1.
Respondents = 57
C O N D I T I O N %
Has common dining area at home 100
Lives with family 100
Frequency of meals with family
Never 4.5
Less than once a week 13.6
Twice to thrice a week 18.2
Four times a week or more 63.6
Type of meal usually spent with family
Breakfast 4.5
Lunch 4.5
Dinner 86.4
Others 4.5
Dining Table Capacity
4-Seater 18.2
6-Seater 45.5
8-Seater 31.8
10-Seater 4.5
12-Seater 0
Dining Table Shape
Square 9.1
Round 27.3
Oval 18.2
 Rectangular 45.5
Distance / Position in relation to nearest family member
Right beside 70.8
One seat away 8.3
Right across 16.7
Other 1
Description of proximity to nearest family member
Very near, elbows touching every now and then 36.4
About 1 foot away 54.5
More than 1 foot away 9.1
Frequency of engagement with conversations
All the time 72.7
Most of the time 22.7
Sometimes 0
Seldom 4.5
Never 0
General ease and comfort of passing objects/food around and of interaction/conversation
Very comfortable 100
Moderately comfortable 0
Not comfortable 0
Opinion on whether or not table shape/size affects the quality of conversation/bonding
Definitely affects 9.1
Most probably affects 27.3
May affect 22.7
Not sure 4.5
Probably does not affect 36.4
Each family members awareness of each other’s problems, achievements, etc
Most of the time 68.2
Sometimes 27.3
Usually not 4.5
Not at all aware 0
Ease of passing objects ACROSS the table
Easy, person across is within an arm’s reach 90.9
Not easy, there’s a need to stand up to be able to pass objects across the table 9.1

Table 2. Perception of Size

Question:
Given the choice between a large dining table (6-seater or bigger) and a smaller, cozy dining nook,
where would you rather have family "bonding" meals on? Why?

NOOK 6-SEATER OR LARGER DINING TABLE

38.24 % 61.76%

Table 3. Available Dining Table Sizes

RETAIL FURNITURE STORE COMMONLY AVAILABLE DINING TABLES
Our Home 6-Seater Rectangular
4-Seater Rectangular
4-Seater Round
Blims 6-Seater Oval
6-Seater Rectangular
4-Seater Rectangular
Designs Ligna 4-Seater Round
6-Seater Rectangular
8-Seater Rectangular
4-Seater Square
6-Seater Square
Abenson 6-Seater Rectangular
Data Summary. Most of the respondents who indicated dinner as the meal they usually
spend with family are the ones who have the most frequent family meals. The most common
household dining table is a rectangular 6-seater. The respondents who expressed healthier
family awareness / relationship are those who are seated right beside another family member,
and / or are an arm’s reach across the table from another family member. Frequency of
engagement in conversations varies, and is therefore not entirely dependent on dining table
size/shape and/or a person’s proximity to another family member. Those who claim that they
are most of the time aware of other family members’ problems, etc. are those who have the
most frequent family meals. All the respondents expressed ease of conversing with, and
passing around of object to, other family members, regardless of table size/shape, proximity,
etc. Majority of them do not associate the dining table size/shape with the quality of family
bonding. Most of the respondents prefer dining tables 6-seater or larger to smaller dining
nooks due to the size of the family (number of diners), comfort of having a slightly bigger
“immediate” space when dining, and due to the popular belief of “the more, the merrier”. The
most common dining table size available in 4 of the furniture stores commonly seen inside
malls is the 6-seater rectangular table.

CONCLUSION

Based on the data gathered, it can be concluded that:

1. There is a significant possibility that the size and shape of the dining table may affect
the interaction, and therefore quality, of family bonding during meals. The proximity of
family members to each other, dictated by the size and shape of the table, also
affects the engagingness of conversations. However, there is a need for a more
specific, extensive, and conclusive study to establish a stronger, more quantitative
relationship between these conditions.
2. A person’s perception of the dining table’s shape and size does not affect his attitude
towards family mealtime bonding --- it’s the other way around. A person’s attitude and
expectations towards family mealtime bonding, including intimacy issues and
socializing preferences, greatly affect his perception of the most efficient dining table
shape and size for family use. In this case, the person’s opinion (influenced by
cultural, social, and economic factors) and not anthropometry, dictates the degree of
closeness that is established during family mealtime bonding.
3. As far as this study goes, the dining table size and shape that best supports family
mealtime interaction maybe the rectangular 6-seater. Further research is needed to
establish a stronger argument in support of this conclusion.
REFERENCES

Schwarz, Lindsay , Effects of Family Mealtime Practices on Household Inhabitants, Eastern Illinois University
McLain, T. , The Use of Factor Analysis in the Development of Hand Sizes for Glove Design, University of Nebraska
Coello, Yann, Spatial Context and Visual Perception for Action, 2005
Lihra, Torsten; Buehlmann, Urs, Consumer Perception of Mass Customized Furniture
www.library.pchrd.dost.gov.ph
www.everyculture.com/No-Sa/The-Philippines.html
www.manilatimes.net
http://katsclass.com/10760/designwk02.htm
Larson, Debra, Family Mealtime – A Tradition That Isn’t Being Skipped, University of Illinois, 2006
Franz, VH, Grasping Visual Illusions: No Evidence for a Dissociation Between Perception and Action, University of
Bremen, Germany
Hill, Christopher, The Perception of Size and Shape, Brown University