Published: February 2014

ID #: 69300

Journal: J Acad Nutr Diet

Authors: Vericker TC

See more related research

Share


This paper examines the associations between the food and physical activity environment in schools and body mass index (BMI) for lower-income boys and girls when they were in the 8th grade during 2007. Analyzing secondary data from the nationally representative Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 1998-1999 (ECLS-K), researchers found that a number of student physical activity and food choices were associated with BMI. Participating in school sports was associated with BMI scores for lower-income boys that were 0.55 points lower than for boys who did not participate in school sports. For lower-income girls, eating school breakfast was associated with a 0.70 higher BMI score and eating school lunch was associated with a 0.65 higher BMI score. The findings suggest that schools may influence adolescent BMI and there is room for improvement in school food and physical activity environments to promote healthier weights among lower-income boys and girls.

Related Research

September 2011

Examining the Impact of the Sale of Competitive Foods and Beverages in Schools on Adolescent Weight

This study will examine the potential effects of regulating the sale of competitive foods and beverages in schools, a lever which policy-makers may use to positively influence children’s consumption behaviors to reduce the prevalence of obesity among children. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 provides the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) with increased capacity More

June 2023

Understanding Barriers and Facilitators of Universal Free School Meals in NYS

When waivers for Universal Free School Meals (UFSM) ended in 2022, approximately 726,000 students lost access to free meals in New York (NY). This study examines the impact of maintaining (or de-implementing) Universal Free School Meals in NY, especially for Black and Hispanic/Latino families who may be disproportionately impacted by pre-existing inequities. This study will More

March 2023

Reducing Student Exposure to Digital Food and Beverage Marketing: Policy and Practice Recommendations

Digital marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages to children and adolescents is pervasive, highly effective, undermines healthy eating, and contributes to health inequities. Expanded use of electronic devices and remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the urgency for policy interventions to limit digital food marketing in schools and on school-issued devices. The US More