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Frequency and manner of usage of pulse crops in school meals in Michigan
Author(s) -
Waldrop Megan E.,
Rueda Janice M.W.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.843.2
Subject(s) - obesity , environmental health , agriculture , school health , nutrient , food service , medicine , geography , business , biology , marketing , medical education , ecology , archaeology
Obesity remains a health concern among US school children, and as of 2009, the prevalence of obesity among children in the state of Michigan was 11.9%. School lunches offer an opportunity to introduce healthy and nutritious foods into the diets of children. Pulse crops, which include dry beans, dry peas, lentils and chickpeas, are low cost sources of both dietary fiber and potassium, which have been identified by the USDA as Nutrients of Concern. The aim of this study was to identify usage patterns of pulse crops in Michigan school food service. School lunch menus were obtained for elementary, middle and high schools of 13 Michigan school districts for the month of May 2012. Districts varied in enrollment size, proportion of students eligible for free and reduced meals, and food service provider type. Frequency and type of usage of pulse crops was analyzed and differences among district characteristics were assessed. Results indicate the frequency of use of pulse crops in school meals in Michigan is very low and only slightly variable. These results demonstrate that, despite the economic and nutritional advantages pulse crops offer school meals, they remain underutilized.