School Nutrition Programs and the Incidence of Childhood Obesity

Daniel Millimet, Rusty Tchernis and Muna Husain

No 14297, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

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.

JEL-codes: C13 H51 I18 I28 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2008-09
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-edu
Note: EH
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (16)

Published as Daniel L. Millimet & Rusty Tchernis & Muna Husain, 2010. "School Nutrition Programs and the Incidence of Childhood Obesity," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 45(3).

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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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