Lunch Policies Research Articles

The Theological Value of Al-Ma’un in Free Lunch Policy: An Islamic Ethical Perspective on Social Empowerment

Providing free lunches is one of the innovations to prepare Indonesia's golden generation. This policy focuses on improving the nutrition of children and pregnant women. By providing free lunches, it is hoped that it will have a domino effect on the community. Of course, this policy must also be based on the ethics that apply in Indonesia. The free lunch policy has also gone through a series of in-depth scientific studies. Of course, this research will have a significant positive impact on society, considering that there is still a lot of inequality and poverty in Indonesia. Programs that are classified as social policies in economics are usually called "Robin Hood" policies. Considering this big policy, it is hoped that there will be even and special support for people who need it. The government also needs to develop a powerful formula so that this policy can be realized and evenly distributed, especially in remote and underdeveloped areas in Indonesia. Of course, the main goal of a free lunch policy is to effectively reduce inequality and promote a fair allocation of economic resources.

Analysis of Free Lunch Policy In Indonesia: Comperative Study of Free Lunch Policies in Developed Countries

Context: The context of this study relates to the effectiveness of the implementation of the free lunch policy in Indonesia, its opportunities, threats, advantages, and disadvantages. After analyzing the four points above, the researcher compared the implementation of the policy with a number of developed countries that have implemented the policy. Objective: The object of this study aims to explain each of the shortcomings, advantages, opportunities, and threats in the implementation of the free lunch policy in Indonesia. The researcher also conducted a comparison with a number of developed countries that have implemented the policy to find out whether it is realistic or not if implemented in Indonesia. Method: This research is a qualitative research with a comparative descriptive approach, namely an approach that describes in advance the existing problems, namely regarding the implementation of the policy, the definition of the policy, the definition of free lunch, its effectiveness, and its comparison with the implementation of the free lunch policy in developed countries. The data used in this study are secondary data that researchers obtain from various credible sources such as scientific journals, books, and scientific websites. The data obtained by researchers are collected and analyzed using the SWOT method to determine the effectiveness of the implementation of the policy Results: There are several points in the SWOT analysis that are in line with the explanations of previous researchers above. The implementation of the free lunch policy in Indonesia has a number of challenges and threats, namely a larger number of targets, large funds, and a low level of education. The consequences of these challenges can cause the implemented program to be in vain, not on target, and have a negative impact on other sectors that prove it. In line with the implementation of the lunch policy in other developed countries, this policy should be carried out in stages first so that what is issued only circulates in the tens to hundreds of billions, not trillions like the Prabowo-Gibran program. If it is proven to be successful and has a significant impact, it can be continued to be added according to existing needs. Contribution: The researcher's great hope is that each input, idea, and concept in this research can be the main reference in formulating the budget, targets, and so on related to the implementation of the free lunch policy as a flagship program of the Indonesian President Prabowo and the Indonesian Vice President Gobran Rakabuming Raka. The researcher also hopes that this article can also be the main reference for other researchers who will study similar themes and titles.

OR11-03-23 Evaluation of Sustainable Lunch Policies for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Promoting Student Health

OR11-03-23 Evaluation of Sustainable Lunch Policies for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Promoting Student Health

Thinking outside of the lunchbox: A narrative policy framework analysis of school lunch policies

AbstractThe National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is the second largest nutrition assistance program in the United States, subsidizing school day meals for nearly 30 million U.S. children, including over 287,000 in Oregon as of fiscal year 2019. A policy success story to some, the NSLP is not without critics or controversy. As discussions about childhood health and wellness have shifted toward food quality and equity, school lunch policy narratives have come under scrutiny. Leveraging participant observation, qualitative interviews, and survey data, this research explores Corvallis, Oregon school lunch policy, contrasting local and national policy perspectives. We draw on the Narrative Policy Framework and Cultural Theory (CT) to identify distinct food policy narratives among Corvallis stakeholders and across cultural groups. Our analysis found a predominantly egalitarian worldview among Corvallis stakeholders whose narratives feature children as victims, with community institutions and advocates in the roles of the heroes and/or villains. Sustainability and the value of market forces were identified as key themes in local and national school lunch narrative plots and morals.

Influence of free nutrition lunch policy on overweight of rural adolescents: Based on China Education Panel Survey Junior High School Cohort data

Objective: To analyze the influence of the free nutritious lunch policy on the risk of overweight in rural adolescents in China. Methods: Based on the data of China Education Panel Survey Junior High School Cohort from 2013 to 2016, this paper analyzes the influence of the policy on overweight risk in adolescents in rural China with logistic model, and a total of 3 453 rural teenagers were included. Results: Adolescents who received free lunch in the first year of junior high school had a 35.8% (P<0.05) and 31.6% (P<0.05) lower risk of being overweight in the second year and one year after junior high school graduation than those who didn't. Also, adolescents who received free lunch in the second year of junior high school had a 36.7% (P<0.05) and 29.9% (P<0.05) lower risk of being overweight in the third grade and one year after graduation than those who didn't. There was no statistically significant difference in the risk of being overweight one year after the graduation between adolescents who received free lunch in third year and those who didn't. And boys benefited more from this policy than girls. Conclusions: The free nutrition lunch policy has long term effect to reduce the likelihood of being overweight for adolescents, and the impact has a cumulative effect. This suggests that the free nutrition lunch policy is effective in promoting health of adolescents in terms of overweight.

The impacts of free school lunch policies on adolescent BMI and mental health: Evidence from a natural experiment in South Korea

In spring 2015, the South Korean province of South Gyeongsang stopped providing free school lunches to primary and secondary school students while large portions of schools in other provinces continued to provide free lunches at school. After the provincial government faced strong opposition, South Gyeongsang reintroduced the free-school-lunch program the very next year. Using a difference-in-differences design, we exploit these policy changes to evaluate their impact on students' body mass index (BMI) and on a measure related to students’ mental health status (MH). Our results show that the abolishment of free school lunches harmed (female) underweight students by causing additional weight losses of about 4.5 percent whereas the reintroduction of free school lunches led to an average weight loss of 2.1 percent among overweight students (both male and female). Moreover, the school lunch policy changes had significant impacts on our MH measure: crying without any reason increased when the free-school-lunch policy was abolished and it decreased when the policy was reintroduced. The results are of great interest to decision makers: introducing free school lunches helps to achieve healthier weights and decreases crying without any reason and as a result, benefits student welfare. Free-school-lunch policies, therefore, may provide simple and inexpensive means to improve the health and welfare of students.

Review: Stirrings: How Activist New Yorkers Ignited a Movement for Food Justice, by Lana Dee Povitz

Review: Stirrings: How Activist New Yorkers Ignited a Movement for Food Justice, by Lana Dee Povitz

The Association between Perceived Adequacy and Capacity for School Food Policy Implementation with Food Availability and Policy Adherence in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Supporting the implementation of school food and nutrition policies is an international priority to encourage healthier eating among children and youth. Schools are an important intervention setting to promote childhood nutrition, and many jurisdictions have adopted policies, guidelines, and programs to modify the school nutrition environment and promote healthier eating. The purpose of this study was to explore the association between perceived adequacy of facilities or equipment and capacity of staff to support policy implementation with food availability and policy adherence in the province of Nova Scotia (NS), Canada, one of the first regions in Canada to launch a comprehensive school food and nutrition policy (SFNP). A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in 2014–2015 to provide a current-state assessment of policy implementation and adherence. Adequacy and capacity for food policy implementation was used to assess policy adherence through the availability of prohibited ‘minimum’ nutrition foods. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted on a selection of available foods, and ‘slow’- and ‘quick’-service food composition measures were dichotomized for food availability. Schools with above-average perceived adequacy and capacity for policy implementation had greater odds (OR = 3.62, CI = 1.56, 8.40) of adhering to a lunch policy, while schools that adhered to a snack and lunch policy had lower odds (OR = 0.48, CI = 0.23, 1.01 and OR = 0.18, CI = 0.08, 0.41) of serving quick-service foods. This study identified the need for appropriate adequacy of facilities or equipment and capacity of staff for policy implementation to ensure policy adherence and improve the school food environment. These findings highlight the relationship between school food and nutrition policies, suggesting that better supporting their implementation could increase the likelihood of their success.

Long-Term Effects of Childhood Nutrition: Evidence from a School Lunch Reform

We examine the long-term impact of a policy that introduced free and nutritious school lunches in Swedish primary schools. For this purpose, we use historical data on the gradual implementation of the policy across municipalities and employ a difference-in-differences design to estimate the impact of this lunch policy on a broad range of medium and long-term outcomes, including lifetime income, health, cognitive skills, and education. Our results show that the school lunch program generated substantial long-term benefits, where pupils exposed to the program during their entire primary school period have 3 percent greater life-time earnings. In addition, we find the effect to be greater for pupils that were exposed at earlier ages and for pupils from poor households. Finally, exposure to the school lunch program had substantial effects on educational attainment and health and these effects can explain a large part of the return to school lunches.

Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) position statement: SBM supports retaining healthy school lunch policies.

Schools are recognized as venues for population-based health promotion and chronic disease prevention initiatives targeting children, and the school food environment is a central component. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 utilized research-based findings and expert recommendations to significantly improve school lunch standards in the kindergarten to twelfth grade (K-12) setting to enhance the nutritional intake and ultimately the health of children. The new guidelines include increasing the availability of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables; requiring children to select a fruit or vegetable daily; and restricting serving sizes. There is currently no evidence that the revised standards have increased school lunch plate waste. However, there is evidence that children are consuming more healthful foods. The Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) supports retaining current school lunch standards set by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. SBM also supports increasing the evidence-based by evaluating the implementation and impact of the school lunch revisions.

Default options, incentives and food choices: evidence from elementary-school children.

To examine whether requiring children to place fruits and vegetables on their lunch trays increases consumption of these items. Observational study that exploited naturally occurring variation between two school districts and a pre–post observational study at schools that changed their lunch policy mid-year. Fifteen elementary schools from two school districts, one requiring students to place a fruit or vegetable on their tray and one that does not. In addition, three schools that implemented a default option part way through the school year. Students at eighteen elementary schools (41 374 child-day observations) across the two experiments. Requiring that fruits and vegetables be placed on each child's tray increased the fraction of children who ate a serving of fruits or vegetables by 8 percentage points (P < 0·01) but led to an extra 0·7 servings being thrown away per lunch served (P < 0·01). The default option approach cost $US 1·72 to get one additional child to eat one serving of fruits and vegetables for 1 d. However, when default options were combined with a small rewards programme the efficacy of both interventions increased. A default option, as a stand-alone programme, had only a limited impact on fruit and vegetable consumption but was much less cost-effective than other approaches. Schools requiring children to take fruits and vegetables with their lunch might consider adopting additional interventions to ensure that the additional items served do not end up being thrown away.

Nutrient-based standards for school lunches complement food-based standards and improve pupils' nutrient intake profile

Following concerns about the nutritional content of school lunches and the increased prevalence of overweight and obesity in the UK, changes to the standards of school meals were made. From September 2008, all primary schools in England were required, by law, to be fully compliant with the new food-based standards (FBS) and nutrient-based standards (NBS) for school lunches. The aim of the present survey was to evaluate the introduction of the NBS for school lunches on the nutritional profile of food and drink items provided by schools and chosen by pupils at lunchtime. A nationally representative sample of 6696 pupils from 136 primary schools in England aged 3-12 years and having school lunches was recruited. Data were collected on lunchtime food and drink provision at each school and on pupil food and drink choices at lunchtime. Caterers also provided planned menus, recipes and other cooking information. Compliance with both the FBS and NBS was then assessed. Results show that even when the FBS was met, many schools did not provide a school lunch that met the NBS as well. The average school lunch eaten was significantly lower in fat, saturated fat and Na in schools that met both the FBS and NBS for school lunches compared with schools that met only the FBS. Change in school lunch policy has contributed to improvements in pupils' choices and the nutritional profile of foods selected at lunchtime.

Children's nutritional intake as part of the Eat Well Do Well scheme in Kingston-upon-Hull - a pilot study

Summary In April 2004 Hull City Council introduced free healthy school meals for all primary and special schools in an attempt to reduce health inequalities. This pilot study aimed to compare nutritional intake between those children consuming a free healthy school meal and those consuming a packed lunch brought from home. The study compared two schools from different socio-economic areas and considered the impact of lunch on total daily food and nutrient intakes in these children. Fieldwork was undertaken over five consecutive days in each school. Seven hundred and thirty-five lunches were weighed and photographed before and after consumption to assess actual food intake vs. wastage. One hundred and forty-seven children aged 8-to-11-years participated from two primary schools. Five-day food diaries were completed by a small number of participants (n = 20) receiving school meals (n = 10) and packed lunches (n = 10) from the two schools selected. While the lunches provided at the two schools met the majority of the nutritional guidelines for school meals, children ate only a small amount, often leaving the potatoes and vegetables behind; therefore, their intakes were below recommended levels. Children from both schools who opted for packed lunch consumed significantly more energy, fat, sugar and sodium but with this more micronutrients than children who had a free healthy school meal. Statistical differences (P < 0.01) were found between the two schools, with children from the less affluent school consuming less food from the school meal and therefore obtaining a lower nutrient intake from lunch than children from the more affluent school. Findings from a small number of food diaries suggest that the differences in intakes between those having a school meal and those having a packed lunch were compensated for by other food consumed during the day, such that daily nutrient intakes were not significantly different. This study suggests that many children may not be consuming sufficient amounts of the food provided in schools. Therefore, it cannot be assumed that the provision of school meals that conform to the School Food Trust guidelines will be of nutritional benefit to all children concerned. Bearing this in mind, more needs to be done to provide menus that are both healthy and enjoyable for children, so that they will want to consume the foods provided. Parents also need more advice regarding how they can provide their children with a healthy packed lunch, possibly via the introduction of a government-led packed lunch policy, particularly in schools from areas of lower socio-economic status. Although there was only a small sample of food diaries in this study, the findings suggest that socio-economic demographics may exert more of an influence on the total daily nutrient intake of children than the type of lunch consumed.

Discourse Tracing as Qualitative Practice

This article introduces a qualitative research method called discourse tracing. Discourse tracing draws from contributions made by ethnographers, discourse critics, case study scholars, and process tracers. The approach offers new insights and an attendant language about how we engage in research designed specifically for the critical-interpretive and applied analysis of discourse. More specifically, discourse tracing analyzes the formation, interpretation, and appropriation of discursive practices across micro, meso, and macro levels. In doing so, the method provides a language for studying social processes, including the facilitation of change and the institution of new routines. The article describes the current theoretical and political landscape of qualitative methods and how discourse tracing can provide a particularly helpful methodological tool at this time. Then, drawing from a qualitative study on of school lunch policy, the authors explain how to practice discourse tracing in a step-by-step manner.

Peanut-free guidelines reduce school lunch peanut contents

Background: Some schools implement peanut-free guidelines (PFG) requesting omission of peanut from lunches. Our study assessed parental awareness of, and adherence to, PFG by comparing the percentage of lunches containing...

School Lunch Practices and Policies in Oklahoma Elementary Schools

School lunch policies and practices in Oklahoma were surveyed from a sample of 304 elementary schools randomly selected from the Education Department's database. Interviews with school personnel were conducted in September 2003 using Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing. Questions included items on school lunch policy, vending machine use, and “junk food” policies. Response rate was 79% with a margin of error ± 4.73%. Responses were compared to national data from the School Health Policies and Programs Study. Fewer school districts had a district-wide food service coordinator (82%) than nationally (p=.001). Half of the coordinators (51%) had only a high school education and only 11% were registered dietitians. Nationally 20% of schools had a nutrition advisory board but only 7% of Oklahoma schools had a board (p<0.0001). Compared to national data, Oklahoma schools were less likely to offer more than one entrée per meal (p =.01), offer tastes of new foods (p =.03) or list nutrition information on menus (p<.000). Schools were more likely to have nutrition information in hallways (p<.000) and require fruits in a la carte lunches (p<.000). Vending machines were available for student use in 45% of schools. However, 14% of schools restricted junk food in vending machines: more than the national rate (p<0.0001). Schools with the fewest students receiving free or reduced lunch (p=0.004) or in metropolitan areas (p=0.002) were most likely to prohibit junk food in machines. Information on specific local practices and policies allow local newly mandated local nutrition committees to establish comparative benchmarks for their school's nutrition programs.

High school off-campus lunch policies and adolescent motor vehicle crash risks

Purpose To examine differences in motor vehicle crash involvement for teenagers in communities with and without school policies enabling teens to drive off campus during lunchtime. Methods Comparison of lunchtime motor vehicle crashes involving teen drivers in two North Carolina counties having open-lunch policies with a third county without an open-lunch policy. We also compare crash rates during the before-school period and at all times of the day in the three counties. Data were analyzed by computing rate ratios of teens’ involvement in a crash during the three time periods and comparing them among the three counties. Results Crash rates over the lunch hours were significantly higher for teenagers in the counties with open-lunch policies, despite these counties having no elevated crash risk during other time periods. This resulted in a relative risk of lunchtime crash involvement of 3.10 and 2.98 (95% CI 1.97–4.89 and 1.87–4.74, respectively) compared with the county without an open-lunch policy. Number of vehicle occupants also increased during the lunch hours in the counties with open-lunch policies. Conclusions Open-lunch policies contribute to motor vehicle crashes in teenagers and encourage a situation where there are multiple occupants per vehicle, a known risk factor for teenage motor vehicle crashes.

New Prevention Research Center Targets Diet, Physical Activity And Smoki Ns For Study Through Community-based Interventions In A Rural Midwest Population

Changing eating, exercise and smoking habits in rural midwest communities is a principal goal of the newly established Prevention Research Center. The Center, a partnership between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Saint Louis University School of Public Health and the Missouri Department of Health, is funded from 1994 through 1998.The Center pursues its mission - to prevent disease and disability in the rural midwest - through applied research to reduce cardiovascular disease in a high-risk population. This population consists of persons of lower socioeconomic status in a 12-county area of southeast Missouri, total population 217,000.In the major research study, Community-Based Intervention for Healthy Lifestyles, staff train local coalitions to implement interventions targeting fruit and vegetable intake, physical activity and cigarette smoking. Coalitions also mobilize communities to accept policy change related to these interventions.Diet-, exercise- and smoking-related outcome objectives are to increase fruit and vegetable intake to five or more servings per day by 6% (baseline: 20%), to increase physical activity by 8% (baseline: 39%), and to decrease cigarette smoking by 6% (baseline: 29%). Environmental and policy objectives include implementing school lunch policies to decrease fat to less than or equal to 30% total calories, increasing referrals for dietary change, enhancing media coverage of cardiovascular risk issues, building walking trails, and establishing local ordinances prohibiting tobacco sales to minors.The quasi-experimental study design allows us to match at the group level (intervention and comparison county pairings) and analyze at the individual level (personal interviews). Appropriate statistical techniques will be employed. Evaluation methods include phone surveys based on a Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System questionnaire, focus groups, a network analysis, level-of-effort analyses, and the FORECAST technique. Preliminary study results are expected in late 1995