July 2009 Children in primary school were over three times more likely to concentrate and be alert in the classroom when changes were made to the food and dining room.
In the first study of its kind, the Trust looked at the behaviour of children in six primary schools in Sheffield in 2007. Changes were made to the food and drink on offer to make sure they met the food-based standards. Dining room changes were made which aimed to improve the meal experience.
Of the six schools in the study, four schools made changes over a period of 12 weeks, whilst two schools made no changes. Objective observations of pupils’ behaviour were made in the classroom in the hour following lunch. Observations were made before the changes were introduced and again 10-12 weeks later.
The study supports the anecdotal reporting by teachers that children are more alert following a healthy lunch.
