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.

Poster Number

12

Faculty Mentor(s)

Tracee Watkins

Additional Mentoring Department

Nutrition, Exercise and Health Science

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May 16th, 11:30 AM May 16th, 2:00 PM

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.