National School Lunch Program Lunches are Healthier than Lunches Brought From Home
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
SURC Ballroom C/D
Start Date
16-5-2013
End Date
16-5-2013
Abstract
The purpose of this investigation was to identify nutritional differences in lunches served in school as part of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and lunches brought from home (LBFH). Data from a previous study, which analyzed the nutritional content of 1085 lunches, was used to identify these differences. Chi-square tests indicated a statistically significant (p<.05) difference in calories from protein, total fat, calcium, iron, and vitamins A and C. Overall, NSLP lunches met the School Meal Initiative (SMI) standards more frequently than LBFH. NSLP lunches provided significantly higher amounts of protein, calcium, iron, and Vitamins A and C than LBFH, while LBFH provided more calories and total fat than NSLP lunches. These results indicate NSLP lunches are a more nutritious option for most students. Also, parents of children who eat LBFH may benefit from information about foods that contain nutrients that are consistently missing from their children’s lunches.
Recommended Citation
Macklin, Atlanta; Schroder, Garen; and McCulley, Megan, "National School Lunch Program Lunches are Healthier than Lunches Brought From Home" (2013). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 83.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2013/posters/83
Poster Number
12
Additional Mentoring Department
Nutrition, Exercise and Health Science
National School Lunch Program Lunches are Healthier than Lunches Brought From Home
SURC Ballroom C/D
The purpose of this investigation was to identify nutritional differences in lunches served in school as part of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and lunches brought from home (LBFH). Data from a previous study, which analyzed the nutritional content of 1085 lunches, was used to identify these differences. Chi-square tests indicated a statistically significant (p<.05) difference in calories from protein, total fat, calcium, iron, and vitamins A and C. Overall, NSLP lunches met the School Meal Initiative (SMI) standards more frequently than LBFH. NSLP lunches provided significantly higher amounts of protein, calcium, iron, and Vitamins A and C than LBFH, while LBFH provided more calories and total fat than NSLP lunches. These results indicate NSLP lunches are a more nutritious option for most students. Also, parents of children who eat LBFH may benefit from information about foods that contain nutrients that are consistently missing from their children’s lunches.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Tracee Watkins