Abstract
Objective
To determine the effects of offering universal-free school breakfast in elementary
schools on students’ dietary outcomes.
Design
Experimental study with random assignment of 153 matched elementary schools in six
school districts. Treatment schools offered universal-free school breakfast, and control
schools continued to operate the traditional means-tested School Breakfast Program.
Twenty-four–hour dietary recalls were collected from sample students near the end
of the first year.
Subjects
About 30 students in second through sixth grades were randomly selected from each
school (n=4,358).
Intervention
Free school breakfasts were made available to all students in treatment schools, regardless
of family income, for three consecutive school years (2000-2001 to 2002-2003).
Main outcome measures
Breakfast consumption and food and nutrient intake.
Statistical analyses
Hierarchical mixed-models and logistic regression, adjusting for age, sex, minority
status, and income eligibility for the regular school meal programs, were used to
estimate effects.
Results
Despite a significant increase in school breakfast participation among sample students
in treatment schools (from 16% to 40%, P<0.01), the rate of breakfast skipping did not differ between groups (4% overall).
Treatment school students were more likely to consume a nutritionally substantive
breakfast (P<0.01), but dietary intakes over 24 hours were essentially the same.
Conclusions
Making universal-free school breakfast available in elementary schools did not change
students’ dietary outcomes after nearly 1 year. To improve children’s diets overall,
efforts should focus on ensuring all students have access to a healthful breakfast,
at home or at school.
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Biography
M. K. Crepinsek is a senior researcher, Mathematica Policy Research, Inc, Cambridge, MA; at the time of the study, she was an associate, Abt Associates Inc, Cambridge, MA.
Biography
A. Singh is a branch chief, Office of Analysis, Nutrition, and Evaluation, Food and Nutrition Service, US Department of Agriculture, Alexandria, VA.
Biography
L. S. Bernstein is senior associates, Abt Associates Inc, Cambridge, MA
Biography
J. E. McLaughlin is senior associates, Abt Associates Inc, Bethesda, MD
Article info
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Copyright
© 2006 American Dietetic Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
