Eligibility for Free and Reduced Price School Meals and Fruit and Vegetable Intake at Home and at School

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn this cross-sectional study, the frequency of fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption was assessed in Washington State middle school students eligible for free and reduced price meals (FRPM). Though students eligible for FRPM had lower rates of FV consumption at home compared to noneligible children (χ2 value = 17.46, df = 1, P < .001), at school children who were eligible for FRPM had higher rates of FV consumption (χ2 value = 14.76, df = 1, P < .001). In logistic regression analysis, students eligible for FRPM had 1.35 greater odds of FV consumption at school (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18 to 1.55; P < .001) than those from higher income families. Away from school, students eligible for FRPM had lower odds of FV consumption at 0.65 (95% CI, 0.48 to 0.89; P = .006) compared to students from higher income families. Among Washington State seventh graders, students who had the opportunity to eat school meals at low or no cost had a greater likelihood of FV consumption at school compared to other students.