Childhood obesity is at an all-time high. At the same time, millions of children are affected by hunger and food insecurity. It is not implying that school meals are the cause of childhood obesity, because children have a variety of access to food outside of the school meal environment. In fact, new research indicates that children and adolescents consume more calories in added sugars at home rather than away from home for both beverages and foods. These results are consistent with results for total caloric intakes. That is, 65 percent of the total calories that children and adolescents consumed were consumed at home.
Age/Grade Group Differences |
Grade Level:
K-5 (Ages 5-10)
Calorie Ranges
Breakfast: 350-500 Lunch: 550-650
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Grade Level:
6-8 (Ages 11-13)
Calorie Ranges
Breakfast: 400-500 Lunch: 600-700
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Grade Level:
9-12 (Ages 14-18)
Calorie Ranges
Breakfast: 450-600 Lunch: 750-850
|
Caloric Overlaps
Breakfast: 400-500 Lunch: 600-650
|
Caloric Overlaps
Breakfast: 450-500 Lunch: No Overlap
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