How free meals in schools affect childhood obesity and disparities
Official title: Impact of Universal Free Meals on Childhood Obesity Risk and Obesity Disparities
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-10834123 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how giving free meals to kids in low-income schools can help reduce obesity, especially for children from lower-income and minority backgrounds, and it aims to see if this change makes a difference in their health and food security.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | August 19, 2021 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $441,157 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD105666-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10834123 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years from lower-income families, particularly those attending high-poverty schools.
✕Less likely to help
Children from higher-income families or those not attending schools that participate in the universal meal program may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of providing universal free meals in high-poverty schools on childhood obesity rates, particularly among lower-income and minority children. By leveraging a policy change that allows schools to offer free breakfast and lunch without requiring sign-ups, the study aims to assess how this initiative influences food security and obesity prevalence. The research employs a natural experiment approach to analyze data from schools participating in this program, focusing on the health outcomes of children aged 0-11 years. The findings could provide insights into effective policy interventions to combat obesity disparities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health outcomes for children by reducing obesity rates and addressing disparities in nutrition and health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that similar policy interventions can positively impact food security and health outcomes, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jones-Smith, Jessica C — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Jones-Smith, Jessica C
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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.