| Title: |
An Apple a Day: The Impact of Healthier School Meals on Children in Jordan. Policy Research Working Paper 11208 |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Simone Lombardini; Florence Kondylis; Benedetta Lerva; Jonas Heirman; Roshni Khincha; Hannah Uckat; World Bank; World Food Programme (WFP) |
| Source: |
World Bank. 2025. |
| Availability: |
World Bank Publications. 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433. Tel: 202-458-4500; Fax: 202-552-1500; Web site: http://www.worldbank.org/ |
| Peer Reviewed: |
N |
| Page Count: |
16 |
| Publication Date: |
2025 |
| Document Type: |
Reports - Research |
| Education Level: |
Elementary Education; Early Childhood Education; Grade 3; Primary Education |
| Descriptors: |
Foreign Countries; Nutrition; Health Promotion; Eating Habits; Child Health; Elementary Schools; Lunch Programs; Program Effectiveness; Health Behavior; Grade 3; Attendance; Physical Activity Level; Fatigue (Biology); Attention; Academic Achievement |
| Geographic Terms: |
Jordan |
| Abstract: |
Poor nutritional choices and unhealthy behaviors are considered responsible for the rise in childhood overweight and obesity and may reinforce each other, creating a vicious cycle. This paper studies a primary school intervention designed to break the cycle early in life by replacing date bars with calorie-equivalent meals lower in sugar and fat. Leveraging the randomized pilot of a menu change in Jordan's national school feeding program, the study shows that children consuming the alternative meals spend 8 percent less money to buy processed snacks, are more physically active (0.1 standard deviation), and go to school one extra day per year. |
| Abstractor: |
As Provided |
| Entry Date: |
2025 |
| Accession Number: |
ED676609 |
| Database: |
ERIC |