Diet Quality of American School-Age Children

This book uses data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 1999-2004) to provide a comprehensive picture of the diets of American school-age children (ages 5 to 18). The book examines the nutrient intakes, food choices, and diet quality of children on days when school was in session. Results for children who participated in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) are compared with results for children who did not participate in the NSLP. These comparisons are made in two income groups – low-income children, whose household income was at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level (these children were eligible to receive NSLP meals free or at a reduced price), and higher-income children whose household income exceeded this cut-off (these children could participate in the NSLP, but had to pay full price for their meal).