Start Date: September 2007

ID #: 63048

Principal Investigator: David Levy, PhD

Organization: H.B.S.A., Inc

Funding Round: Round 2

See more related research

Share


The key objective of this project is to develop a computer simulation model of school food policies that will simulate their effects on youth overweight and obesity rates. This computer model also will provide a user-friendly synthesis of current research, which will provide an accessible means by which practitioners, schools, and other stakeholders might develop and prioritize policies and develop a comprehensive and coherent program to address this critical public health issue. The study will utilize a population model through age 18. All available published research to date will be assessed for entry into the simulation model, including data focusing on racial/ethnic minorities and low socioeconomic status groups.

Related Research

May 2011

Simulation Models of Obesity: A Review of the Literature and Implications for Research and Policy

The article presents an overview of existing simulation models (SMs) for obesity, discusses their strengths and weaknesses and suggests directions for future research. The authors conclude that SMs can serve as a summary of knowledge and a structure for improving knowledge and understanding of the complex factors contributing to obesity.

December 2025

From Policy to Plate: Implications of 2025 U.S. Federal Policy Changes on School Meals

School meals are a cornerstone of the United States’ nutrition safety net for children from low-income families, providing nearly 30 million lunches daily. However, recent U.S. policy actions may limit access to school meals for children who need them most. This commentary, published in the Nutrients Special Issue The Influence of School Meals on Children More

December 2025

Ultra-Processed Foods in School Meals: Challenges and Opportunities

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are ubiquitous in the U.S. food supply, while growing evidence shows that UPFs harm children’s health. Schools offer a promising setting to introduce UPF regulation and reduce the availability of UPFs. This brief explores the issue of UPFs in school meals and identifies opportunities and challenges to replace UPFs with more fresh More