This study examines the association between frequency of participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs and children’s dietary intakes. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Dietary Screener Questionnaire was used to measure dietary intake of fruit and vegetables, fiber, whole grains, dairy, calcium, total added sugar, sugar-sweetened beverages, and energy-dense foods. The study found children who ate school breakfast every day, compared with children who ate school breakfast 0-4 days per week, reported consuming more fruits and vegetables, dietary fiber, whole grains, dairy, and calcium. Children who ate school lunch every day, compared to those who ate less frequently, consumed more dairy and calcium. Overall, eating school breakfast and lunch every day was found to be associated with modestly higher dietary intakes.
Eating School Meals Daily Is Associated with Healthier Dietary Intakes: The Healthy Communities Study
Published: March 2018
ID #: 73272
Journal: J Acad Nutr Diet
Authors: Au LE, Gurzo K, Gosliner W, Webb KL, Crawford PB, Ritchie LD
State: National
Age Groups: Elementary-age children (grades K to 5), Young adolescents (grades 6 to 8), Adolescents (grades 9 to 12)
Race/Ethnicity: Multi-racial/ethnic
Resource Type: Journal Article
Focus Area: School & After School
Keywords: Fruits and vegetables, School meal programs
Related Research
January 2016
Examining the Association Between Schools’ Nutrition Environment and Children’s Weight Status by Income and Race/Ethnicity
There is interest among school administrators, researchers, and policymakers for information to guide choices in selecting school-based nutrition interventions and efficiently allocating resources. This study will systematically evaluate the nutrition strategies that schools across the country have initiated for obesity prevention to determine which school nutrition programs and policies are … More
March 2021
Special Issue on School Nutrition and Meal Cost Study-I: Findings Related to Improving Diet Quality, Weight, and Disparities in U.S. Children
School meals are important contributors to the healthy diets of our nation’s children, especially those in food insecure households, according to new papers published in a special issue of the journal Nutrients. The papers address urgent policy challenges related to food security, childhood obesity, sugar consumption, and racial and ethnic … More
September 2020
Schools Find Success in Reducing Sodium in Meals
Strong nutrition standards for school meals, consistent with evidence-based recommendations, position children for optimal health and wellbeing. Strong science supports the link between lowering sodium intake and better health. This new issue brief from Healthy Eating Research examines the recent history of sodium standards for school meals. It highlights current sodium intake … More