Written question asked by Andrew Rosindell (Conservative) on Tuesday, 1 November 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 3 November 2005. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Wednesday, 23 November 2005 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Children's Diets

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the relationship between pupils' diet and (a) behaviour and (b) academic attainment.

Answer: The Department has made no assessment of the relationship between pupils' diet, behaviour and academic attainment. However, a healthy, balanced diet is a key factor in protecting health and promoting children's proper growth and development.The Food Standards Agency has recently commissioned a review on diet and behaviour in school children that will scope the evidence base to assess the effect of nutrition, diet and dietary change on school children's learning and performance (i.e. on academic tests, behaviour, attendance and motivation). The final report is expected in April 2006.

Secondary information