Free healthy breakfasts in primary schools: a cluster randomised controlled trial of a policy intervention in Wales, UK

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Funding Acknowledgements

The present study was an independent evaluation funded by the Welsh Assembly Government. Janine Hale, Ruth Conway and Chris Roberts of the Welsh Assembly Government provided support and assistance in facilitating the evaluation design within the policy roll-out. The authors declare that there are no competing interests. S.M., L.M. and K.T. led the design of the trial. S.M. managed the overall conduct of the study with the support of G.F.M. and R.L., L.M. oversaw the statistical analysis, which was conducted by C.D., R.L. and S.M. designed and undertook the process evaluation. All authors contributed to re-drafts of the present paper. S.M. acts as guarantor. The authors thank Rowan Brockman, Emily Harrop, Deborah Lancastle, Claire Pimm, Emily Warren, Job Madoc-Jones and Julian Buchanon for help with data collection, Zoe Macdonald, Hannah Lynch, Lorelei Simon, Fiona West and Andrew Rodgers for administrative assistance, Andy Smith for advice and support on cognitive tests and Odette Parry for contributions to project management and data collection. The authors also thank members of our advisory group, and gratefully acknowledge the cooperation of all school staff, students and parents for participating in the present study.