An Analysis of the Effect of Meal Plan Enrollment on Meal Skipping among University Students

Abstract

The UNIV Co-op operates a meal plan to address the issue of meal skipping among university students. However, the relationship between meal plan enrollment and meal skipping remains insufficiently explored. This study examines the effect of meal plan enrollment on meal skipping among university students. Utilizing data from the 58th Survey of Student Life, the university information platform “Manabijon,” and the 2020 National Census, we estimate the effect of the meal plan on students’ dietary intake. To mitigate selection bias arising from the voluntary nature of meal plan enrollment, we employ the instrumental variable method. The estimation results indicate that meal plan participation exerts a significant positive effect on the likelihood of consuming three or more meals per day, thereby reducing meal skipping. Furthermore, we identify specific time periods during which the number of students consuming meals significantly increases and others during which it significantly decreases due to meal plan participation. This finding suggests that, within the operational framework of Co-op cafeteria hours, the meal plan may play a role in fostering healthier and more structured eating habits.