Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026
06:48
Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil
Published on: July 29, 2020
School meal crowd out in the 1980s
Stephanie von Hinke Kessler Scholder1
1University of York, Department of Economics and Related Studies, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK. Stephanie.Scholder@york.ac.uk
Journal of Health Economics
|March 26, 2013
Summary
Government school meal programs in the 1980s UK crowded out private meal services, reducing student participation. However, this policy change did not impact children
Area of Science:
- Economics
- Public Policy
- Child Nutrition
Background:
- The 1980s saw significant policy shifts in the UK regarding state-provided school meals.
- Understanding the impact of government interventions on private services is crucial for policy evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether state provision of school meals crowded out private meal services.
- To assess the effect of these policy changes on children's body weight.
Main Methods:
- Examined two UK policy reforms that altered school meal costs for specific groups (treated) versus unaffected groups (controls).
- Utilized a large, unique longitudinal dataset of primary school children (1972-1994).
- Analyzed changes in school meal take-up and children's body weight.
Main Results:
- Found strong evidence of crowding out: reforms decreased school meal take-up by 20-30 percentage points in the treated group.
- No significant difference in take-up was observed in the control group.
- No evidence of effects on child body weight was detected.
Conclusions:
- State provision of school meals in the 1980s UK led to crowding out of private services.
- Despite reduced meal take-up, these policy changes did not affect children's body weight.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Regulation of Food Intake
Short-term regulation of food intake primarily involves neural signals from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, blood nutrient levels, and GI tract hormones. Communication between the gut and brain via vagal nerve fibers plays a significant role in evaluating the contents of the gut. Clinical studies have shown that protein ingestion produces a more prolonged response in these nerve fibers compared to an equivalent amount of glucose. Additionally, the activation of stretch receptors caused by GI...
01:24Obesity
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in adipocytes...
01:27Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition
Parenteral Nutrition (PN) delivers essential nutrients directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system. It is commonly used for individuals with severe digestive disorders or conditions that prevent normal nutrient absorption.
PN can be administered through two primary routes:
1. Central Parenteral Nutrition (CPN):
CPN involves delivering a high concentration of nutrients through a large vein. This is typically achieved using a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) or,...
PN can be administered through two primary routes:
1. Central Parenteral Nutrition (CPN):
CPN involves delivering a high concentration of nutrients through a large vein. This is typically achieved using a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) or,...
01:23Dietary Connections
In biological systems, most metabolic pathways are interconnected. The cellular respiration processes that convert glucose to ATP—such as glycolysis, pyruvate oxidation, and the citric acid cycle—tie into those that break down other organic compounds. As a result, various foods—from apples to cheese to guacamole—end up as ATP. In addition to carbohydrates, food also contains proteins and lipids—such as cholesterol and fats. All of these organic compounds are used as energy sources to produce...
01:23Binge Eating Disorders
Binge eating disorder is a significant mental health condition characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive food consumption within a short period, accompanied by a perceived loss of control over eating behavior. Unlike occasional overeating, binge eating disorder is marked by distressing emotions such as guilt, shame, and anxiety following binge episodes. The disorder affects individuals across different ages and backgrounds, with profound implications for physical and psychological...
01:16Gastric Emptying
Gastric emptying occurs when the stomach gradually releases chyme into the duodenum. When the stomach is distended, it triggers the release of gastrin, a hormone that promotes gastric acid secretion to aid in digestion. Additionally, stomach distension contributes to peristaltic waves that propel gastric contents toward the pyloric region. The gastroenteric reflex, on the other hand, primarily stimulates peristalsis in the intestines, facilitating the movement of contents further along the...