RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 School Nutrition Programs and the Incidence of Childhood Obesity
JF Journal of Human Resources
JO J Hum Resour
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 640
OP 654
DO 10.3368/jhr.45.3.640
VO 45
IS 3
A1 Millimet, Daniel L.
A1 Tchernis, Rusty
A1 Husain, Muna
YR 2010
UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/45/3/640.abstract
AB Given the recent rise in childhood obesity, the School Breakfast Program (SBP) and National School Lunch Program (NSLP) have received renewed attention. Using panel data on more than 13,500 primary school students, we assess the relationship between SBP and NSLP participation and (relatively) long-run measures of child weight. After documenting a positive association between participation and child weight, we find evidence of non-random selection into the SBP. Allowing for such selection is sufficient to alter the results, indicating that the SBP is a valuable tool in the current battle against childhood obesity, whereas the NSLP exacerbates the current epidemic.