School Meal Program Participation and Its Association with Dietary Patterns and Childhood Obesity

Philip Gleason, Ronette Briefel, Ander Wilson and Allison Hedley Dodd

No 292075, Contractor and Cooperator Reports from United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service

Abstract: This study used data from the School Nutrition Dietary Assessment III Study to examine the dietary patterns of school meal program participants and nonparticipants and the relationship between school meal participation and children’s Body Mass Index (BMI). School Breakfast Program (SBP) participants ate more low-nutrient energydense (LNED) baked goods and more calories at breakfast than did nonparticipants. National School Lunch Program (NSLP) participants had lower intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and a lower percentage of calories from LNED foods and beverages than did nonparticipants. Overall, NSLP participation was not significantly related to students’ BMI, although participants were less likely to be overweight or obese than nonparticipants among Black students but more likely to be so among “other race” students. SBP participants had significantly lower BMI than did nonparticipants, possibly because SBP participants are more likely to eat breakfast and eat more at breakfast, spreading calorie intake more evenly over the course of the day.

Keywords: Agricultural and Food Policy; Food Security and Poverty; Health Economics and Policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 162
Date: 2009-07
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:uerscc:292075

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.292075

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