Healthy school meals and educational outcomes

Michèle Belot and Jonathan James

Journal of Health Economics, 2011, vol. 30, issue 3, 489-504

Abstract: This paper provides field evidence on the effects of diet on educational outcomes, exploiting a campaign lead in the UK in 2004, which introduced drastic changes in the meals offered in the schools of one borough - Greenwich - shifting from low-budget processed meals towards healthier options. We evaluate the effect of the campaign on educational outcomes in primary schools using a difference in differences approach; comparing educational outcomes in primary schools (Key Stage 2 outcomes more specifically) before and after the reform, using the neighbouring Local Education Authorities as a control group. We find evidence that educational outcomes did improve significantly in English and Science. We also find that authorised absences - which are most likely linked to illness and health - fell by 14%.

Keywords: Child; nutrition; Child; health; School; meals; Education; Natural; experiment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (54)

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Related works:
Working Paper: HEALTHY SCHOOL MEALS AND EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES (2009)
Working Paper: Healthy school meals and educational outcomes (2009)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jhecon:v:30:y:2011:i:3:p:489-504

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