Publication: JAMA
Date Published: August 2024
Reference:
Spill, M. K., Trivedi, R., Thoerig, R. C., Balalian, A. A., Schwartz, M. B., Gundersen, C., Odoms-Young, A., Racine, E. F., Foster, M. J., Davis, J. S., & MacFarlane, A. J. (2024). Universal free school meals and school and student outcomes: A systematic review. JAMA Network Open, 7(8), e2424082. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.24082
Key Takeaways: This systematic review analyzed six U.S.-based studies, representing more than 11,000 schools, to examine the association between universal free school meal (UFSM) programs, such as the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), and school and student outcomes. The findings indicate that UFSMs are consistently associated with increased participation in both school breakfast and lunch programs. There is also evidence suggesting modest improvements in attendance, along with potential reductions in obesity prevalence and school suspensions; however, the certainty of evidence for these outcomes was rated as low or very low. Importantly, the review found that several key outcomes—including diet quality, food security, academic performance, and food waste—are not well represented in the current literature, highlighting the need for more rigorous research to better understand the full impact of universal free meal programs.
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