School Lunch Take up and Attainment in Primary and Secondary Schools in England.

Hypothesis: Average levels of attainment in primary and secondary schools in England in 2010 and 2011 are positively associated with changes in average school lunch take up between 2008-2009 and 2010-2011.

Subjects/methods: Average school lunch take up and attainment data were available for 2009-2011 for primary and secondary sectors in a minimum of 106 local authorities (LAs) in England and 853 individual primary schools in six LAs. Associations between attainment at 11-12 years (primary) and 15-16 years (secondary) and changes in school lunch take up were tested using multilevel analysis, multiple regression, and cross-tabulation (chi-squared analysis).

The impact of the food-based and nutrient-based standards on lunchtime food and drink provision and consumption in secondary schools in England.

Objectives: To assess lunchtime provision of food and drink in English secondary schools and the choices and consumption of food and drink by pupils having school lunches, and to compare provision in 2011 with that in 2004.

Design: Cross-sectional data collected between October 2010 and April 2011. In each school, food and drink provision, including portion weights and number of portions of each item served at lunchtime, were recorded over five consecutive days.

School lunches v. packed lunches: a comparison of secondary schools in England following the introduction of compulsory school food standards.

Objectives: To compare food choices and nutrient intakes of pupils taking a school lunch or a packed lunch in eighty secondary schools in England, following the introduction of the food-based and nutrient-based standards for school food.

Design: Cross-sectional data collected between October 2010 and April 2011. Pupils' lunchtime food choices were recorded over five consecutive days.