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). Results: At school level, attainment at 11-12 years in 2010 and 2011 showed 9 positive and 12 negative associations with changes in school lunch take up between 2009 and 2011. At LA level, average attainment at 15-16 years in 2011 was associated with changes in total school lunch take up in 2010-2011 (p = 0.034). Cross-tabulation of changes in attainment 2010-2011 (above or below median) were positively associated with changes in total school lunch take up between 2009 and 2011, by quartiles (Chi squared = 11.041, df = 3, p = 0.012). Conclusion: Attainment at secondary level in England is statistically significantly associated with increases in healthier school lunch take up. Results in the primary sector are not consistent.