School Nutrition Services (SNS) Research

Publication: JAND

Date Published: September 2015

Reference: 

Does Eating School Meals Make a Difference in Overall Diet Quality? A Comparison Study of Elementary School Students
Au, L.E. et al.
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Volume 115, Issue 9, A16

Key Takeaways: This study examined the dietary quality of elementary school students in San Diego, California, comparing those who ate school meals with those who brought meals from home. This study involved  3,944 participant students from 4th and 5th grade who completed a 24-hour diet recall. For measurement, the study used a Healthy Eating Index -2010 (HEI-2010). The Study found that meals eaten from school had a higher HEI score (49.0) compared to those who brought lunch from home (46.1). Students consuming school meals had a higher score for dietary intake and lower scores for empty calories from solid fats and added sugars, which suggests a more balanced diet for school meals. This study suggests that school-provided lunches are associated with higher diet quality among elementary school students.

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