| Childhood and adolescence are unique periods of growth and development. In addition to maturing physically, children begin to make independent choices about when, where, and what they eat. Good nutrition during childhood and adolescence plays a key role in assuring adequate growth and development, preventing the long-term risk of chronic disease, and enhancing health and well-being. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) school meal programs play an important role in children’s diets and can thus influence their weight status and health. On average, children obtain more than one third of their daily energy intake from meals consumed at school during the school year (Briefel et al 2009). The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is one of the largest... |
