SynthesisThe Journal of school health2026
School Nutrition Policies and Associations With Academic Outcomes: A Comprehensive Summary of Current Evidence.
Synthesis in The Journal of school health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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8 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundHealthy diets can improve cognitive function; therefore, school nutrition policies may support academic performance. Prior systematic reviews documented positive associations between school nutrition-related policies and academics, but less is known about their associations with academic inequities. This review updates the evidence while addressing the gap on academic inequities.
methodsBuilding on two prior systematic reviews (2021, 2023) of naturally-occurring during-school U.S. nutrition policies and academics (i.e., attendance, test scores, behavior), we conducted an updated systematic search using their established terms and synthesized evidence on academic equity (differences in subgroup outcomes, i.e., race, ethnicity, income).
resultsThis updated comprehensive review includes 33 studies (10 new, 23 from the prior reviews). Newly identified studies examined Universal Free School Meals (UFSM; n = 6), Breakfast After the Bell (BATB; n = 2), the School Breakfast Program (n = 1), and Recess Before Lunch (n = 1). Most reported positive or neutral academic associations. Most studies examining equity-related outcomes found larger academic improvements among subpopulations. IMPLICATIONS FOR SCHOOL HEALTH POLICY, PRACTICE, AND EQUITY: School nutrition policies can improve academic achievement while addressing educational equity.
conclusionsUFSM and BATB equitably improve academic performance. More research is needed for other promising policies.
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