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Research Original Research: Brief| Volume 118, ISSUE 8, P1474-1481.e1, August 2018

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Eating School Meals Daily Is Associated with Healthier Dietary Intakes: The Healthy Communities Study

Published:March 17, 2018DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2018.01.010

      Abstract

      Background

      Research on the association between school meal consumption and overall dietary intake post-Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act implementation is limited.

      Objective

      This study examines the association between frequency of participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs and children’s dietary intakes.

      Design

      The Healthy Communities Study was a cross-sectional observational study conducted between 2013 and 2015.

      Participants and setting

      US children aged 4 to 15 years (n=5,106) were included.

      Main outcome measures

      Dietary measures were assessed using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Dietary Screener Questionnaire. Dietary intake included fruit and vegetables, fiber, whole grains, dairy, calcium, total added sugar, sugar-sweetened beverages, and energy-dense foods of minimal nutritional value.

      Statistical analysis

      Multivariate statistical models assessed associations between frequency of eating school breakfast or lunch (every day vs not every day) and dietary intake, adjusting for child- and community-level covariates.

      Results

      Children who ate school breakfast every day compared with children who ate 0 to 4 days/wk, reported consuming more fruits and vegetables (0.1 cup/day, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.1), dietary fiber (0.4 g/day, 95% CI: 0.2, 0.7), whole grains (0.1 oz/day, 95% CI: 0.05, 0.1), dairy (0.1 cup/day, 95% CI: 0.05, 0.1), and calcium (34.5 mg/day, 95% CI: 19.1, 49.9). Children who ate school lunch every day, compared with those who ate less frequently, consumed more dairy (0.1 cup/day, 95% CI: 0.1, 0.2) and calcium (32.4 mg/day, 95% CI: 18.1, 46.6). No significant associations were observed between school meal consumption and energy-dense nutrient-poor foods or added sugars.

      Conclusions

      Eating school breakfast and school lunch every day by US schoolchildren was associated with modestly healthier dietary intakes. These findings suggest potential nutritional benefits of regularly consuming school meals.

      Keywords

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      Biography

      L. E. Au is an assistant researcher, Nutrition Policy Institute, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California, Berkeley.

      Biography

      K. Gurzo is a data analyst, Nutrition Policy Institute, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California, Berkeley.

      Biography

      W. Gosliner is a project scientist, Nutrition Policy Institute, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California, Berkeley.

      Biography

      K. L. Webb is a researcher, Nutrition Policy Institute, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California, Berkeley.

      Biography

      P. B. Crawford is a senior research director and cooperative extension specialist, Nutrition Policy Institute, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California, Berkeley.

      Biography

      L. D. Ritchie is director and cooperative extension specialist, Nutrition Policy Institute, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California, Berkeley.