Using 2005 data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Third School Nutrition Dietary Assessment survey, this study examines the contribution of school meals to the food and nutrient intake of children in food-secure, marginally secure, and food-insecure households. The study finds that...

Bringing school meals in line with the 2005 Dietary Guidelines will involve more than changing nutrient standards and revising menu planning regulations. SNDA-III provides evidence that, despite the hard work of many individuals, schools, and organizations, SMI goals were not fully achieved....

Does eating school meals influence children’s dietary habits or chances of being overweight or obese? This study addressed these questions using data from the School Nutrition Dietary Assessment III Study. National School Lunch Program participants had lower intakes of sugar-sweetened...

This report describes exploratory work to develop a simulation model to predict the potential effects of changes in policies and practices related to school meals and school food environments.

School meal program participation was associated with reduced prevalence of nutrient inadequacy but with increased prevalence of excessive sodium intakes.

Consumption of school meals is positively related to children’s intakes of key food groups at lunch and breakfast.

Background on the USDA Food and Nutrition Service-Sponsored School Nutrition Dietary Assessment Report Series