Evaluating the Long-Term Impact on Obesity and Nutrition of Menu Labeling in Schools

Start Date: December 2012

ID #: 70549

Principal Investigator: Donna Johnson, RD, PhD

Organization: University of Washington

Funding Round: Round 7

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The quality and impact of school meal programs could be improved by menu labeling policies, but there is little research about nutrition labeling in schools. This project will utilize existing data as well as ongoing data collection to study the nutritional quality of foods selected by students in a diverse urban school district in Washington state over three years of changes in menu labeling. This prospective longitudinal quasi-experimental study will examine the effects of menu labeling and supplemental comprehensive school-wide educational campaigns over time. Specific project aims are to: 1) measure the long-term impact of menu labeling in schools, and 2) advance understanding of factors associated with the impact and sustainability of school menu labeling and menu labeling education.

Age Groups: Adolescents (grades 9 to 12), Young adolescents (grades 6 to 8)

Keywords: Food service, Menu Labeling, Point-of-decision prompts, School meal programs, Urban

Resource Type: Grant Summary

Race/Ethnicity: Multi-racial/ethnic

Focus Area: School & After School

State: Washington

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