About The Study: In this systematic review, universal free school meals were associated with increased meal participation, no or slight improvements in attendance, and decreased obesity prevalence and suspension rates; certainty of evidence was moderate for lunch participation and low or very low for other outcomes. Studies did not report several important outcomes, such as diet quality and food security, suggesting the need for more high-quality research encompassing policy-relevant indicators.
About The Study: In this systematic review, universal free school meals were associated with increased meal participation, no or slight improvements in attendance, and decreased obesity prevalence and suspension rates; certainty of evidence was moderate for lunch participation and low or very low for other outcomes. Studies did not report several important outcomes, such as diet quality and food security, suggesting the need for more high-quality research encompassing policy-relevant indicators.
Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Amanda MacFarlane, PhD, email amanda.macfarlane@ag.tamu.edu.
To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link
(doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.24082)
Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.
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Cite Scienmag News
Courtney Benton. (August 9, 2024). Universal free school meals and school and student outcomes. Scienmag. https://scienmag.com/universal-free-school-meals-and-school-and-student-outcomes/
Courtney Benton. "Universal free school meals and school and student outcomes." Scienmag, 9 August 2024, https://scienmag.com/universal-free-school-meals-and-school-and-student-outcomes/. Accessed 3 September 2026.
Courtney Benton. "Universal free school meals and school and student outcomes." Scienmag. August 9, 2024. https://scienmag.com/universal-free-school-meals-and-school-and-student-outcomes/
