Prevalence and risks for low energy intake on the weekend among U.S. school children

Introduction: It is unclear whether the lack of school meals on the weekend results in low energy intake for some children. Anecdotal evidence suggests that some children do not eat sufficient food on the weekend and arrive at school on Monday too hungry to concentrate or learn. Children in economically disadvantaged and food insecure household are likely to be vulnerable to this ‘weekend hunger.' Low energy intake on the weekend may have implications for children's health and academic performance. No estimates of the prevalence of ‘weekend hunger' are currently available.

Methods: NHANES data from 2003-2008 provide two 24-hour dietary recalls (one weekday and one weekend day) for 2,500 school children ages 6-17. We utilize several approaches to measuring low energy intake that incorporate: (a) estimated energy requirements from DRIs; (b) empirical variation in 24-hour dietary recalls; and (c) the magnitude of energy deficit which may adversely affect children's growth. Multiple regression analyses model weekend-weekday differences in energy intake using demographic and school meals participation variables as predictors.

Expected Results: We will present estimates of the prevalence of low energy intake on the weekend, and contrast weekend and weekday energy consumption for the same children. We hypothesize that gender, ethnicity, economic circumstances, food insecurity, and school meals participation all will be associated with weekend hunger among school children.

Discussion: The prevalence of, and risk factors for, weekend hunger have implications for U.S. food assistance policy and other hunger relief efforts.