USDA Food and Nutrition Service - Diet Quality of American School-Age Children by School Lunch Participation Status

USDA's Food and Nutrition Service examined data on the diets of children who participated and who did not participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), with results broken out into two income categories. Among low-income children, NSLP participants were more likely to have adequate usual daily intakes of 10 essential vitamins and minerals, and had higher fruit consumption, but were also more likely to consume too much sodium. For both income groups, lunches consumed by NSLP participants were more nutrient-dense than lunches consumed by nonparticipating children. NSLP participants in both income groups were more likely to consume vegetables, fruits, milk and milk products, and mixed dishes. They were less likely to consume salty snacks and beverages other than milk or juice.

Read the summary here: http://www.fns.usda.gov/oane/MENU/Published/CNP/FILES/NHANES-NSLPSummary.pdf

Read the full report here:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/oane/MENU/Published/CNP/FILES/NHANES-NSLP.pdf

USDA Food and Nutrition Service - School Nutrition Dietary Assessment Study (SNDA III)

In school year 2004-2005, over 85% of schools offered lunches that met the USDA standard for each of the key target nutrients--protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and iron. Taking students' selection patterns into account, more than 70% of schools served lunches that met the USDA standards for each nutrient. Less than one third of public schools offered and served school lunches that met the USDA standards for total fat or saturated fat (on average, 34% versus the recommended standard of 30% or less, and 11% versus the recommended standard of10% or less). The percentage of schools serving lunches meeting the USDA standard for saturated fat doubled between 1998-1999 and 2004-2005. Participants in the National School Lunch Program were less likely than nonparticipants to consume "competitive foods"--from vending machines, a la carte cafeteria sales, or fundraisers--in school.

Read the summary here:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/oane/MENU/Published/CNP/FILES/SNDAIII-SummaryofFindings.pdf

Read the full report here:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/oane/MENU/Published/CNP/cnp.htm

FRAC - Breakfast for Learning

Scientific research links children's nutrition and academic performance. Eating breakfast at school helps children perform better, and children participating in school breakfast--including universal school breakfast programs and breakfast in the classroom--showed improvements in attendance and tardiness.

Read the fact sheet here: http://www.frac.org/pdf/breakfastforlearning.PDF

FRAC - Child Nutrition Policy Brief: Nutrition for Learning

Hungry children have lower math scores and are more likely to repeat a grade. Behavioral, emotional and academic problems are more prevalent among hungry children. Hungry children are more likely to be hyperactive, absent and tardy.

Read the policy brief here: http://www.frac.org/pdf/cnnl.pdf

Baylor College of Medicine and USDA Economic Research Service - "Middle School Student Lunch Consumption: Impact of National School Lunch Program Meal and Competitive Foods"

Children's consumption of National School Lunch Program (NSLP) meals is associated with several positive dietary quality outcomes but concerns remain. Students who consumed mainly NSLP food reported higher intake of most nutrients, milk, fruits, and vegetables and lower intakes of sweetened beverages and candy than students who consumed mainly non-NSLP food, including a la carte items, food from vending machines, and food from home. Students in the "mainly NSLP" group also consumed more sodium, fat, and saturated fat, however, and calorie intake was also higher for this group, although it was only 80 percent of the NSLP requirement for calories served at lunch. The findings were based on lunchtime food records collected from students in three Houston area middle schools during school year 2001-02.

Read the abstract here: http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/CCR30/

Read the entire report here: http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/ccr30/ccr30.pdf