The National School Lunch Program and Obesity: A Look at Economic Stability's Influence on the Relationship-Reference-Cited by-同舟云学术

The National School Lunch Program and Obesity: A Look at Economic Stability's Influence on the Relationship

Published:2023-03-20 Issue:6 Volume:93 Page:515-520
ISSN:0022-4391
Container-title:Journal of School Health
language:en
Short-container-title:Journal of School Health

Author:

Chavez Luis¹^ORCID,Malik Neal¹,Kapella‐Mshigeni Salome²

Affiliation:

1. School of Public Health University of Nevada, Reno, 1664 N. Virginia Street, Reno, NV 89557

2. Department of Health Science and Human Ecology California State University, San Bernardino, 5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino, CA, 92407

Abstract

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDApproximately 20% of US children are obese and these rates are expected to increase. The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides meals to millions of students and may influence their body mass index (BMI). This study aimed to investigate whether students who participate in the NSLP have a higher BMI when compared to those that do not.METHODSSecondary data from the US Census Bureau were analyzed. Kruskal‐Wallis H tests were performed to find associations between NSLP participation and students' BMI. Race and economic stability were included as moderating variables.RESULTSNSLP participation and respondents that identified as White/Caucasian, African American, and Native American were positively associated with BMI. Lower economic stability was also positively associated with BMI.CONCLUSIONParticipation in the NSLP was significantly associated with participants' BMI, race, and economic stability. While a cause‐and‐effect relationship cannot be determined, these results are important given their potential influence on students' long‐term health.

Publisher

Wiley

Subject

Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health,Philosophy,Education

Link

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/josh.13330

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