Quick Facts
- Over 73 million primary school children go to school hungry daily
- School meals increase test scores by 4%
- Children who receive school lunches achieve 18% higher scores on standardized math tests.
- School meals improve a child’s IQ
- School lunches are linked to decreased food insecurity and poverty
- Children who receive regular school lunches are 29% less likely to develop poor health and experience low body mass index or obesity
School lunch is more than just a midday meal; it promotes a child’s cognitive and physical development.
Many children worldwide lack access to universal free school meals, particularly in conflict zones and low-income countries. According to the World Food Program’s “State of School Feeding Worldwide 2020” report, 73 million primary school children in 60 low and middle-income countries go to school hungry. In the least developed countries, only 20% of children receive school meals, compared to 49% globally. This lack of access to nutritious meals often leads to missed classes and higher dropout rates, disproportionately affecting girls.
A 2020 UNESCO report found that 180 million girls in low- and middle-income countries enrolled in primary and secondary education may drop out before completing their education. Research shows that in Bangladesh, school meals led to a 2% increase in attendance rates, with a 3% boost observed among the girls.
School lunch impacts kids’ lives by improving test scores. Research shows these students’ end-of-year test scores rise by 4% compared to their peers without access to nutritious school meals.
Students who eat school meals have been shown to achieve 18% higher scores on standardized math tests. This academic boost isn’t limited to a single subject. A report from the Center for Policy Research at the Maxwell School found that school meal programs can positively impact English and Math test scores. Experts say that providing free school meals supports a child’s nutrition and helps improve their cognitive development.
The brain, which makes up only 2% of our body weight, consumes approximately 20% of the body’s daily calories. For a child’s brain, which is still at the developing stage, this energy demand is even higher. It requires that they consume food with essential nutrients, including protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water. Without the proper nutrients, children may experience fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and decreased problem-solving abilities due to decreased brain cell production, reduced brain cell size, and erratic communication between brain cells. Free school meals help to combat nutritional deficiencies that may lower a child’s IQ.
Free school meals have also been shown to play a crucial role in alleviating food insecurity and poverty in low-income families. According to research, students who get free school meals may experience a low fight for hunger as their families are 14% less likely to run out of food at home. A report by the Census Bureau data on poverty and income in the U.S. found that in 2017 alone, school lunch meals helped 1.2 million people — including 722,000 children — escape poverty.
Furthermore, school meals have been shown to significantly improve student’s health and weight-related outcomes. For instance, research shows that children are 29% less likely to develop poor health when they have access to school meals. This means that for every 100 kids who might have health problems, at least 29 of them stay healthier thanks to school lunches.
Studies have also shown that children who participate in school meals may experience lower body mass index (BMI) and probability of obesity. School meals have also been linked to fewer visits to the school nurse. This suggests that a good meal helps kids feel better and stay healthier throughout the school day.
School meals do more than fill empty stomachs. They are an investment in the future, helping kids focus on learning instead of worrying about their next meal. When children are well-fed, they are more likely to do better in school, which can lead to better opportunities in the future.
