Nutritional Quality of the Diets of US Public School Children and the Role of the School Meal Programs

I found this interesting research article from the American Dietetic Association from 2009. I was shocked by the statistics that were provided in the article. According to the School Nutrition Dietary Assessment Study (SNDA-1)  participation in the National School Lunch Program was associated with increased intakes of several key nutrients but also associated with increased intakes of fat, saturated fat and sodium. SNDA-2 was performed in 1998-1999 and it found that the fat and saturated fat content of the meals had gone down without compromising the amount of vitamins provided. This article used data from the SNDA-3 to assess the nutritional quality of the diets of US public school children and to explore the relationship between children's participation in the school meal programs and the nutritional quality of their diets.

Children were required to complete a 24-hour diet recall and interviews. The parents as well were asked to complete a parent interview. Children ranged from grades 1 through 12. Researchers found an association between program participation and excessive sodium intakes along with high prevalence of excessive saturated fat intakes among all students. These findings helps me understand the importance of the revisions to the Child Reauthorization Act. By revising and implementing the changes we can provide healthier choices to children while at school. In the long run, this could influence the food choices the children begin to make on their own.