An Apple a Day: The Impact of Healthier School Meals on Children in Jordan. Policy Research Working Paper 11208
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| Title: | An Apple a Day: The Impact of Healthier School Meals on Children in Jordan. Policy Research Working Paper 11208 |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Simone Lombardini, Florence Kondylis, Benedetta Lerva, Jonas Heirman, Roshni Khincha, Hannah Uckat, World Bank, World Food Programme (WFP) |
| Source: | World Bank. 2025. |
| Availability: | World Bank Publications. 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433. Tel: 202-458-4500; Fax: 202-552-1500; Web site: http://www.worldbank.org/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | N |
| Page Count: | 16 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Elementary Education Early Childhood Education Grade 3 Primary Education |
| Descriptors: | Foreign Countries, Nutrition, Health Promotion, Eating Habits, Child Health, Elementary Schools, Lunch Programs, Program Effectiveness, Health Behavior, Grade 3, Attendance, Physical Activity Level, Fatigue (Biology), Attention, Academic Achievement |
| Geographic Terms: | Jordan |
| Abstract: | Poor nutritional choices and unhealthy behaviors are considered responsible for the rise in childhood overweight and obesity and may reinforce each other, creating a vicious cycle. This paper studies a primary school intervention designed to break the cycle early in life by replacing date bars with calorie-equivalent meals lower in sugar and fat. Leveraging the randomized pilot of a menu change in Jordan's national school feeding program, the study shows that children consuming the alternative meals spend 8 percent less money to buy processed snacks, are more physically active (0.1 standard deviation), and go to school one extra day per year. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | ED676609 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Poor nutritional choices and unhealthy behaviors are considered responsible for the rise in childhood overweight and obesity and may reinforce each other, creating a vicious cycle. This paper studies a primary school intervention designed to break the cycle early in life by replacing date bars with calorie-equivalent meals lower in sugar and fat. Leveraging the randomized pilot of a menu change in Jordan's national school feeding program, the study shows that children consuming the alternative meals spend 8 percent less money to buy processed snacks, are more physically active (0.1 standard deviation), and go to school one extra day per year. |
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