Possible effects of a free, healthy school meal on overall meal frequency among 10–12-year-olds in Norway: the School Meal Project

Abstract Objective To evaluate possible effects of intake of a free, healthy school meal on overall meal frequency among 10–12-year-olds in Norway. This was evaluated using a quasi-experimental school-based intervention study assessing children’s meal frequency retrospectively using a questionnaire in two elementary schools in the southern part of Norway in 2014/15. Multiple logistic regression analyses with breakfast, lunch, dinner, supper as dependent variables were used. Results A total of 164 children at baseline; 55 children in the intervention group and 109 children in the control group were included. The serving of a free school meal every day for 1 year did not improve the overall m…