Effects of a School-based Intervention on Middle School Children's Daily Food and Beverage Intake

Objectives: We explored the impact of changes to school lunch on overall food choices in a sample of middle school children in the United States (US). Methods: The IMOVE program provides healthy school lunch meals that are offered alongside standard school lunch meals. Students from one intervention (N = 162) and one comparison (N = 110) school participated. Total daily food and beverage intake was measured and dietary quality was evaluated. Results: Exposure to IMOVE led to a decrease in 0.1 fewer daily servings of sugar-sweetened beverages (p = .03) and an average daily reduction of 48.3 grams of whole milk (p = .08). Dietary quality was low. Conclusions: Recent legislation in the US to improve the school foodservice may contribute to healthier dietary behaviors of youth.