Publication Details
Abstract
School feeding programs (SFPs) represent a critical intersection between educational advancement and public health, offering dual benefits that address child nutrition and academic performance. Despite the growing global emphasis on SFPs, the research landscape remains fragmented, with limited synthesis of publication trends, thematic evolution, and scholarly influence. This study conducts a comprehensive bibliometric analysis using data retrieved from the Scopus database to map the intellectual structure, collaboration networks, and thematic progression of research on school feeding and its academic and nutritional outcomes. A total of twenty relevant documents were analyzed using Biblioshiny and VOSviewer software to assess publication patterns, citation metrics, co-authorship networks, and keyword co-occurrence. The findings reveal a steady increase in publications between 2022 and 2025, with Ethiopia, Brazil, and Ghana emerging as the most influential contributors. Addis Ababa University and the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte were identified as leading institutions in this domain. Thematic mapping highlighted core research areas such as “school meals,” “child nutrition,” and “academic performance,” alongside emerging topics like “food insecurity” and “dietary intake.” Despite the increasing scholarly attention, gaps persist in longitudinal evaluations, cross-regional collaborations, and integration of psychosocial and sustainability dimensions. The study underscores the need for more interdisciplinary and context-specific research to strengthen evidence-based policymaking. By providing a comprehensive overview of the global research landscape, this bibliometric analysis contributes to a deeper understanding of how school feeding programs influence both educational and nutritional outcomes, supporting future directions in policy and academic inquiry.