Exploring changes to school meal programs to improve youth nutrition
Official title: Examining system-wide implementation of new flexibilities to the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11047144 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how new changes to school lunch and breakfast programs are affecting what kids eat and their health, with the goal of finding ways to make these meals better for all students.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2025 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $674,300 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL178372-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11047144 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include children and adolescents who participate in school meal programs, particularly those from communities with higher rates of obesity and limited access to healthy foods.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not enrolled in school meal programs or who do not have access to these programs may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how recent changes to the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs affect the nutrition and health of students. It focuses on understanding the implementation of new flexibilities in these programs, particularly how they impact food choices and health outcomes among youth. The study will analyze the roles of various stakeholders, including food suppliers and school officials, to identify ways to enhance the effectiveness and equity of these meal programs. By examining these factors, the research aims to provide insights that could lead to better nutrition for children and adolescents.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved nutritional standards in school meal programs, helping to reduce obesity and cardiovascular disease risk among youth.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that policy changes in school meal programs can significantly impact student nutrition and health outcomes, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moreland-Russell, Sarah — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Moreland-Russell, Sarah
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.