Abstract
BackgroundSchool feeding programs are beneficial for the physical, mental, and psychosocial development of school-age children and adolescents, particularly those in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). While school feeding programs are ubiquitous in LMICs, the specific benefits of school feeding programs are unclear. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the impacts of school feeding programs on the educational and health outcomes of children and adolescents in LMICs.MethodsRigorously designed interventional studies on the impacts of school feeding on nutritional and health outcomes of children and adolescents receiving primary or secondary education in LMICs will be included. The following information sources were used to identify relevant published or unpublished studies: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, and governmental or organizational websites. The risk of bias of randomized and non-randomized studies will be assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and the ROBINS-I tool, respectively. Two reviewers will independently conduct the selection of studies, data extraction, and assessment of the risk of bias. A narrative synthesis of all the included studies will be provided. Meta-analyses will be performed whenever appropriate. Heterogeneity of effects will be assessed by I2, subgroup analyses, and meta-regression. The certainty of evidence for each outcome will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.DiscussionThe design and implementation of school feeding programs in LMICs should be based on the understanding of the benefits of such programs. This work will provide a crucial evidence base for the educational and health benefits of school feeding on children and adolescents in LMICs.Systematic review registrationThis protocol was submitted for registration with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) on November 18, 2019 (registration number: pending).
Highlights
School feeding programs are beneficial for the physical, mental, and psychosocial development of school-age children and adolescents, those in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)
School feeding programs are widely available in high-income countries but generally have incomplete coverages in lowand middle-income countries (LMICs), where the need is greatest in terms of hunger and poverty [5]
Research question We aim to evaluate the impacts of school feeding programs on educational and health outcomes of children and adolescents receiving primary or secondary education in LMICs
Summary
School feeding programs are beneficial for the physical, mental, and psychosocial development of school-age children and adolescents, those in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the impacts of school feeding programs on the educational and health outcomes of children and adolescents in LMICs. Nutrition during the school years is crucial for the physical, mental, and psychosocial development of children and adolescents aged 6 to 19 years. School feeding programs (sometimes referred to as school meal programs) are interventions that regularly provide nutritious foods to children and adolescents attending school [3]. It is imperative to expand the coverage of school feeding programs and to improve the quality of existing programs to maximize their benefits on children and adolescents
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