Using implementation mapping to optimize the impact of Universal School meals: a type III hybrid implementation-effectiveness study protocol.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Provision of government subsidized school meals at no charge to all students in income-eligible schools (Universal School Meals) is a critical policy approach to address food insecurity and risk for obesity in school-aged children. However, despite documented benefits, implementation challenges remain, which limit the uptake and associated impact of this provision. To ensure the longevity of this policy approach, equity-focused solutions that center the needs of those tasked with implementation and the most vulnerable Universal School Meals recipients are necessary. The aims of this study are to develop equity-focused implementation strategies and test them through a hybrid type III cluster-randomized trial to examine potential effectiveness on improving student uptake a

SUBMITTER: McLoughlin GM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12486583 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature