The Public School Lunch Program and its Contribution to the Alleviation of Problem Behaviors
Mann Hyung Hur

Abstract
This study examines the relationship between food hardship caused by the lack of school lunches and problem behaviors. The data for this study were collected from a survey questionnaire of fifth and sixth graders in elementary school in addition to middle school students in the seventh, eighth and ninth grades. A set of t-tests was employed to compare the level of problem behaviors under the condition of food hardship. Unlike preexisting studies, food hardship was a problem not only for low-income children but also for children of other socioeconomic status. This study showed that children experiencing food hardship are likely to also experience problem behaviors. More important, the data demonstrate that problem behaviors could be caused by even a temporary food hardship, such as skipping a meal.

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