ir households.Data collection Instruments and procedures
Permission to conduct the research was granted by the District Education office. The head teachers of the various schools then requested parents of the study children to allow the researcher to collect data on their socio-economic characteristics and home diet. Data was collected using anthropometry, 24-hour recall, observed weighed technique and interview schedule. Anthropometric measurements yielded data used to determine nutritional status of the children using weight-for-age, height-for-age and weight-for-height indices. The height and weight were measured using a height board and an electronic "Seca' weighing scale respectively. The ages of the index children were obtained from the school records and parents and also verified with birth certificates and baptism cards.
The 24-hour recall yielded data on kinds of foods and nutrients pupils eat at home. This enabled the researcher to establish the adequacy of the home diet and control its influence on the nutritional status of the pupils. For the observed weighed technique, volumes of food portions served and consumed by the children were measured according to guidelines suggested by Cameroon and Staveron  for food consumption studies. Measurements were done using standard measuring cups and jars. The left-overs for each child were also measured. All measurements were carried out by the researcher. The proportions of the ingredients used in cooking and the total volume of the food cooked were also measured. The nutrients consumed were then computed using the food composition tables of World Health Organization for East, South and Central Africa . Interview schedules yielded information on demographic and socio-economic characteristics of households.3.8 Data Analysis
Data was analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer software was used for data analysis to generate frequencies, percentages and means in the descriptive analysis of socio-economic data. Epi Info was used to classify the school children into categories of nutritional status. Multiple regression analysis was used to establish the SLP variables which were associated with the effect SLP have on nutritional status of the study children. Food composition tables were used to compute the nutrient intake of index children. Significance was accepted at 5% probability level (P<0.05).
Demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the study children's parents
The response rate was 100%. From the findings a larger percentage of respondents in both groups were females (64.4% and 75% for participants' and non-participants parents) respectively. Mean age was 40 years. Dependency ratio for this study population was 1:2 and the average household size was six people. Mean income was Kshs. 6900 ± 50.50 for participants and Kshs. 6200 ± 75.60 for non-participants.
Nutritional status of the children
Nutritional status was determined using weight-for-age, height-for-age and weight-for-height indices. Based on the weight-for-age index, there was a significant difference (P<0.05) in prevalence of underweight between the two groups. Only 8.1% participants were malnourished as compared to 16.3% non-participants. There was a significant association between school lunch and weight-for-age. The prevalence of underweight was much lower among the participants in the school lunch than the non-participants.
The height-for-age index revealed a significantly higher (P<0.05) level of stunting among the non-participants (53.1%) than the participants (30%). There was an association between height-for-age and the school lunch. Participants had consumed the school lunch for at least two years. Adequate kilocalorie and protein intake at school was associated with reduced levels of stunting. The association was not however statistically significant. The weight-forheight index showed that 5% of the participants and 18.2% of the non-participants were wasted. Regression coefficients with school lunch variables; energy and protei