Deiliaid dyfarniadau cyfadran yn arwain astudiaeth ledled y DU i wella prydau ysgol a lleihau anghydraddoldebau

Two Health and Care Research Wales Faculty award holders, Dr Sara Long and Dr Kelly Morgan, are leading a major new UK-wide study investigating the provision, uptake and consumption of school meals. 

The three-year, £1.6 million ‘Reducing inequalities in school food environments (RISE)’: supporting provision, uptake and consumption of free school meals in primary schools’ project is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and based at Centre for Development, Evaluation, Complexity and Implementation in Public Health Improvement (DECIPHer), supported by Health and Care Research Wales. It brings together researchers from across the UK to explore how school meals are delivered and consumed, and how they can better support children’s health and wellbeing. 

Dr Sara Long, Principal Investigator of the RISE project, previously held a Health and Care Research Wales Health Research Fellowship and Dr Kelly Morgan, Senior Research Fellow is a recipient of the Faculty’s Emerging Leader Award. Both researchers are based at DECIPHer. 

With the rising cost of living, many families are finding it increasingly difficult to afford healthy food options. Less nutritious choices are often more accessible and affordable, leaving children in some areas at greater risk of poor diets. School meals present a vital opportunity to address this inequality by ensuring all children have access to balanced, nutritious food during the school day.  

The new study will examine school meal provision across all four UK nations, with a particular focus on Universal Free School Meals (UFSM) in Wales. Wales is the first UK nation to roll out UFSM to all primary-aged children, offering a unique opportunity to evaluate its implementation and impact. 

Researchers from Cardiff University will work closely with Welsh local authorities to assess the nutritional content of school menus and investigate what children are actually eating. The study will also involve interviews with school staff, parents and pupils and annual surveys to monitor trends in school food provision and uptake. 

Dr Sara Long said: 

“This research provides a unique opportunity to explore provision across the UK, so that lessons can be learned about how children and young people can be given the best foundations for healthy and happy lives.” 

Dr Kelly Morgan added: 

“We’ll be working closely with schools, local authorities and families to understand not just what’s on the menu but what children are actually eating and why.” 

The findings from this study will help inform future school food policy and practice, ensuring that all children have access to nutritious meals which support their health, development and learning. 

Professor Monica Busse, Director of Health and Care Research Wales Faculty said: 

“It’s fantastic to see Faculty award holders like Dr Sara Long and Dr Kelly Morgan leading such an important UK-wide study. The Faculty is committed to offering comprehensive support to researchers at all stages so they can make meaningful progress in advancing in their research careers just like Dr Long and and Dr Morgan.” 

The Health and Care Research Wales Faculty offers extensive support and mentorship for researchers. To learn more about how you can access Faculty resources, check out the Faculty personal award schemes. 

As part of the RISE study, the research team is inviting primary schools, parents and children in Wales to take part.

If you’re interested in shaping the future of school meals and helping improve children’s health and wellbeing, find out more about how to get involved.