April 2024
A study published in the journal Pediatrics found that for schools participating in the universal free school meals program there was a .6% percentage-point net decrease in obesity prevalence in students, and a relative decrease of 2.4% given baseline prevalence, compared with schools that did not participate in the free meal program. Researchers write that "these findings add to the growing literature showing benefits of universal free school meals for child well-being. Such policies represent a promising strategy for addressing childhood obesity." Read more here and here.