School Nutrition Programs and the Incidence of Childhood Obesity

Daniel Millimet, Rusty Tchernis and Muna Husain ()
Additional contact information
Muna Husain: Southern Methodist University

No 3664, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: In light of the recent rise in childhood obesity, the School Breakfast Program (SBP) and National School Lunch Program (NSLP) have received renewed attention. Using panel data on over 13,500 primary school students, we assess the relationship between SBP and NSLP participation and (relatively) long-run measures of child weight. After documenting a positive association between SBP participation and child weight, and no association between NSLP participation and child weight, we present evidence indicating positive selection into the SBP. Allowing for even modest positive selection is sufficient to alter the results, indicating that the SBP is a valuable tool in the current battle against childhood obesity, whereas the NSLP exacerbates the current epidemic.

Keywords: child health; National School Lunch Program; program evaluation; School Breakfast Program; obesity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C31 H51 I18 I28 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 37 pages
Date: 2008-08
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-hea
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (13)

Published - published in: Journal of Human Resources, 2010, 45 (3), 640-654

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Related works:
Journal Article: School Nutrition Programs and the Incidence of Childhood Obesity (2010)
Working Paper: School Nutrition Programs and the Incidence of Childhood Obesity (2008)
Working Paper: School Nutrition Programs and the Incidence of Childhood Obesity (2007)
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