Universal Welfare May Be Costly: Evidence from School Meal Programs and Student Fitness in South Korea

Abstract

The Free School Meal Program (FSMP) initiated in 2011 in South Korea allows participating schools to provide free lunches to all students regardless of their household income. This paper examines how universal free school meal programs are associated with student health outcomes. We empirically show that FSMP reduces the share of students with high fitness grades by up to 1.5% of the student population. We also find that expenses for physical education decrease in schools that adopt FSMP. These results suggest that FSMP could crowd out investments in student physical activities, and student fitness could be negatively impacted. The paper sheds light on the importance of budgetary balance between universal welfare programs and other educational programs.

High Physical Self-Concept Benefits on School Adjustment of Korean Student-Athletes

“…Understanding their own achievement should lead to the formation of beneficial relationships with authority figures, including teachers. A previous study found that female student-athletes with higher HP scores are likely to have better peer relationships, similar to a study on health concerns of middle school girls [34]. Notably, female students are more likely to discuss physical health concerns such as menstruation with their friends than their parents or managers [35][36][37].…”

Association of the universal free school lunch program with body mass index among Korean high school students, 2018-2021

“…Also, free school lunch for all middle school students in New York city had improved weight outcomes, especially for non-poor students [42]. However, one South Korean study suggested a negative relationship between free school meal programs and student tness due to the lack of physical education [43]. Public school students in LA under reduced-price school meal program or free school meal program had a higher likelihood of becoming overweight [44].…”