Associations between a Universal Free Breakfast Policy and School Breakfast Program Participation, School Attendance, and Weight Status: A District-Wide Analysis

Abstract

Breakfast consumption among youth is associated with improved diet quality, weight, cognition, and behavior. However, not all youth in the United States consume breakfast. Participation in the School Breakfast Program (SBP) is also low relative to the lunch program. Universal free breakfast (UFB) policies have been implemented to increase breakfast participation by reducing cost and stigma associated with the SBP. This study examined whether a UFB policy implemented in a school district in the Southeast US was associated with changes in breakfast participation, school attendance, and student weight. A longitudinal study of secondary data was conducted, and a mixed modeling approach was used to assess patterns of change in SBP participation. General linear models were used to assess attendance and student weight change. On average, across schools in the district, there was an increase in breakfast participation of 4.1 percentage points following the implementation of the policy. The change in breakfast participation in schools differed by the percent of students in the school who received school meals for free or at a reduced price, the percent of students of color, and the grade level of the school. Increases in SBP participation were not associated with significant changes in attendance or weight. UFB policies may be effective in increasing participation in the SBP.

Universal Free School Meals and School and Student Outcomes

“…While UFSMs ensure that students from lower-income households have access to healthy meals, regardless of whether they apply for free meals, it also benefits students from higher-income households. 16,17 In fact, the greatest increase in school meal participation comes from students who would not have qualified for reduced-price or free meals through the traditional meal program. 10 One study showed an increased rate (69%) of meals served among those who would not have qualified for reduced-price meals in CEP schools compared with non-CEP schools.…”

Nutrition assistance program take‐up given multiprogram eligibility

“…The literature indicates these policy changes improved program take‐up by decreasing the transaction costs and stigma associated with participation. Kim and Joo (2020) and Bartfeld and Kim (2010) find SNAP direct certification increases NSLP and SBP participation among eligible children, while Bullock et al (2022) find increased SBP take‐up in schools that implemented the CEP. Vasan et al (2021) further find WIC EBT improves program take‐up, with increased participation in states implementing EBT relative to states that continued using paper vouchers.…”

“…In reality, many households with income greater than (less than) 185% FPL are eligible (ineligible) for nutrition assistance programs based on income, asset, and household composition eligibility requirements. Further, neither study accounts for state‐level variation in program administration despite the literature identifying this variation as a key factor affecting program participation (Bartfeld & Kim, 2010; Bitler et al, 2003; Bullock et al, 2022; Mabli et al, 2014; Tiehen & Jacknowitz, 2008; Vasan et al, 2021). Thus, it is unclear whether the determinants of multiprogram participation identified truly reflect differences in socio‐demographics, or simply differences in program eligibility status across sociodemographic groups and/or state‐level variation in program administration.…”