Health · Medical Research · 2 hrs ago
Study finds no clear link between school meals and teen prediabetes
Researchers analyzed 802 U.S. adolescents aged 12 to 18 using national survey data from 2017 to 2023.
They compared school meal participation and dietary intake with blood sugar test results in the prediabetes range.
Teens who ate school breakfast at least once a week had a 30% higher prevalence of these results than teens who did not, but the breakfast link was not statistically significant after the researchers adjusted for multiple comparisons.
School lunch participation showed no significant relationship with prediabetes-range results.
The study used a single set of blood tests, so the results do not amount to a clinical diagnosis, and the analysis cannot show that breakfast caused the difference.
The findings matter because about 33% of U.S. adolescents aged 12 to 17 had prediabetes in 2023, while schools provide a substantial share of many students' daily food.
A study of 802 U.S. adolescents found no statistically significant link between school lunch participation and prediabetes-range blood sugar results.
School breakfast participation was initially associated with a higher prevalence of prediabetes-range results, but the association was no longer statistically significant after correction for multiple comparisons.
Researchers analyzed National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2017 to 2023.
The study used single laboratory assessments, which indicate prediabetes-range results but do not establish a clinical diagnosis.
- Who
- Researchers studied 802 U.S. adolescents aged 12 to 18.
- What
- The study examined links between school meals, diet and prediabetes-range laboratory results.
- When
- The data covered NHANES survey cycles from 2017 to 2023. The article was published on October 23, 2026.
- Where
- United States.
- Why
- Researchers investigated whether school meal participation and dietary intake were associated with adolescent prediabetes prevalence.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Researchers used data from NHANES survey cycles covering these years.
News-Medical published its report on the study.
- Study participants
- 802 adolescents aged 12 to 18
- Data source
- National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)
- Survey period
- 2017–2023
- Breakfast finding
- Initial association with 30% higher prediabetes prevalence; not statistically significant after correction for multiple comparisons
- Lunch finding
- No statistically significant relationship with prediabetes
- Prediabetes-range measures
- Fasting plasma glucose of 100–125 mg/dL or HbA1c of 5.7%–6.4%