Teens who eat their main meal of the day with their parents are far less likely to play truant or miss lessons. 

This is according to a new study published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which also warns of the detrimental impact of missing lessons. 

However, it suggests positive engagement with school or family is a bigger factor on whether children have poor attendance than the family's wealth. 

Encompassing developed nations globally, the report shows 18 per cent of teenagers play truant, with the highest levels recorded in Latvia and the lowest in Japan. 

In the UK, there has been much debate recently regarding parents taking their children on holiday during term time. Figures show British pupils miss an above-average number of whole school days, but are below the general level for truancy from individual lessons.

Comparing the data shows truancy is a bigger issue in the UK than in high-performing education systems such as South Korea and Shanghai.

Attendance data was compiled along with international Pisa tests by 15-year-old pupils, revealing the detrimental impact of non-attendance of lessons. 

Pupils who skipped classes were much more likely to obtain poorer grades, according to the results of these maths tests.

However, global figures revealed there is no quantifiable difference between rich and poor pupils with regard to the likelihood of truancy. Indeed, in countries such as Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands, it was shown that richer pupils are more likely to miss lessons.

In more than three-quarters of the countries assessed, it was found that children who had their main meals with their parents were less inclined to play truant. 

Other factors noted included good school discipline and teachers who listen to the pupils as having a significant impact on driving down the levels of missed lessons.

What do you think? Does eating with parents make it less likely for kids to miss lessons? Let us know your thoughts.