Jean M. Mitchell PhD, Professor, Georgetown University Public Policy Institute, 3520 Prospect Street, N.W., 4th FL, Box 571204 Washington, DC 20057-1485 mitchejm@georgetown.edu
Abstract
The prevalence of obesity among children (ages 6 to 11) has doubled from about 7% during the late 1970s to more than 15% today, while among adolescents the obesity rate tripled from 5% to nearly 16% (Dietz, 2004). Childhood obesity has become a major public health concern in the US today primarily because it has significant health and economic consequences. In this project, we propose to examine the relationship between participation in the School Breakfast Program, one federal food assistance program, and children’s nutritional status. While food assistance programs were initially implemented by Congress to address the problems of food insecurity and nutritional deficiencies, the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity in the United States points to the importance of re-evaluating school nutrition programs to ascertain if there is any linkage between such programs and children’s nutritional status. Whether and how food assistance programs are linked to the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity would provide useful information for policymakers and program administrators regarding whether structural or operational reforms are warranted.
Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning a recent six year period, we will evaluate whether participation in the SBP has beneficial or deleterious effects on children’s nutritional status, controlling for the potential selection bias associated with program participation. We will evaluate the effect of the SBP program on a wide array of indicators of nutrient intake in order to obtain a comprehensive picture of its impact. Importantly, during the time period we propose to examine, the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity has been the subject of considerable attention from the media, pediatricians, public health officials and parents. In contrast, prior research on the SBP uses data that predates widespread concern about the problem of childhood obesity as well as the implementation of significant reforms in school food program nutritional guidelines.
RELEVANCE
In this project, we propose to examine the relationship between participation in School Breakfast Program (SBP), one federal food assistance program, and children’s nutritional status. Whether and how food assistance programs are linked to the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity would provide useful information for policymakers and program administrators as to whether such programs need to be reformed. In contrast, prior research on the SBP uses data that predates widespread concern about the problem of childhood obesity as well as the implementation of significant reforms in school food program nutritional guidelines.
Overweight/obesity is now a priority area and was identified as a leading health indicator for the nation’s health goals under Healthy People, 2010. The objective established by Healthy People 2010 is to reduce the proportion of children who are obese by 5% by 2010 (US Department of Health and Human Services, 2000). The promotion of healthy eating habits is one approach that can prevent children from becoming obese, and our project will provide useful information to policymakers on the effectiveness of the School Breakfast Program in improving the nutrition of children.
