Association Between School Food Environment and Practices and Body Mass Index of U.S. Public School Children

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The third School Nutrition Dietary Assessment Study (SNDA-III) enables researchers to hone in on specific components of the school food environment that contribute to child obesity.

Body Mass Index (BMI) is the accepted index for classifying adiposity (fatness). More than 20 percent of the children in the SNDA-III sample were obese. This report probed the statistical landscape of SNDA-III using a calibrated set of independent variables. The statistical model included a variety of school characteristics and an extensive demographic background for the students in the sample.

Key Findings:

  • For elementary schools, the presence of French fries in school lunches more than once per week and the availability of dessert more than once per week were each associated with significantly higher probabilities for obesity.
  • Among middle school students, the presence of low-nutrient, energy-dense foods in vending machines in or near the cafeteria was associated with significantly higher scores for a component of measuring BMI, the BMI z score.

The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 required the development of school wellness policies. Where feasible, future research should track BMI/obesity before and after specific changes to school food practices.

Improving Child Nutrition Policy

  1. 1. The Third School Nutrition Dietary Assessment Study
  2. 2. A Practice Perspective on the Third School Nutrition Dietary Assessment Study
  3. 3. Evaluation's Vital Role in Healthier School Meals
  4. 4. Meals Offered and Served in US Public Schools
  5. 5. Nutritional Quality of the Diets of US Public School Children and the Role of the School Meal Programs
  6. 6. Availability and Consumption of Competitive Foods in US Public Schools
  7. 7. School Meals
  8. 8. Consumption of Low-Nutrient, Energy-Dense Foods and Beverages at School, Home, and Other Locations Among School Lunch Participants and Nonparticipants
  9. 9. School Food Environments and Practices Affect Dietary Behaviors of US Public School Children
  10. 10. Association Between School Food Environment and Practices and Body Mass Index of U.S. Public School Children
  11. 11. School Breakfast Program But Not School Lunch Program Participation is Associated with Lower Body Mass Index

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