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

Publication date: Available online 17 March 2018
Source:Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Author(s): Lauren E. Au, Klara Gurzo, Wendi Gosliner, Karen L. Webb, Patricia B. Crawford, Lorrene D. Ritchie
BackgroundResearch on the association between school meal consumption and overall dietary intake post-Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act implementation is limited.ObjectiveThis study examines the association between frequency of participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs and children's dietary intakes.DesignThe Healthy Communities Study was a cross-sectional observational study conducted between 2013 and 2015.Participants and settingUS children aged 4 to 15 years (n=5,106) were included.Main outcome measuresDietary 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 analysisMultivariate 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.ResultsChildren 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.ConclusionsEating 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.



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