A Practice Perspective on the Third School Nutrition Dietary Assessment Study

The third School Nutrition Dietary Assessment Study (SNDA-III) places highly functional information in the hands of food service and nutrition professionals. SNDA-III is the most comprehensive study yet conducted of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the School Breakfast Program (SBP).

In this perspective, a nutrition professional summarizes key findings of SNDA-III in several categories: school lunch, school breakfast and competitive foods. Bullet point lists identify pieces of information the author deems especially significant. Researchers will find a list of practical implications and basic recommendations based on revelations of SNDA-III (e.g., vary portion sizes to better meet the nutrition needs of various age groups/grade levels.) 

Key Findings:

  • More than 90 percent of schools offered breakfasts that met standards for key nutrients.
  • Few schools provided lunches that met the fiber recommendations in the 2005 Dietary Guidelines. No schools met the recommended sodium limitations.
  • Most schools have not developed local wellness policies to regulate competitive foods.

The information available here consolidates findings from articles in the SNDA-III supplement. More detailed analyses will be found in source articles.

Improving Child Nutrition Policy

  1. 1 The Third School Nutrition Dietary Assessment Study
  2. 2 A Practice Perspective on the Third School Nutrition Dietary Assessment Study
  3. 3 Evaluation's Vital Role in Healthier School Meals
  4. 4 Meals Offered and Served in US Public Schools
  5. 5 Nutritional Quality of the Diets of US Public School Children and the Role of the School Meal Programs
  6. 6 Availability and Consumption of Competitive Foods in US Public Schools
  7. 7 School Meals
  8. 8 Consumption of Low-Nutrient, Energy-Dense Foods and Beverages at School, Home, and Other Locations Among School Lunch Participants and Nonparticipants
  9. 9 School Food Environments and Practices Affect Dietary Behaviors of US Public School Children
  10. 10 Association Between School Food Environment and Practices and Body Mass Index of U.S. Public School Children
  11. 11 School Breakfast Program But Not School Lunch Program Participation is Associated with Lower Body Mass Index

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