5. Conclusions
The data from this study are important, as they add to the evidence to support the provision of a school meal for improved cognitive ability of school entry-level children from the disadvantaged community of the northwest region in Pakistan. Importantly, this trial was able to demonstrate an improvement in the RCPM that measures general intelligence. The addition of MNP further enhanced the micronutrient content of the meal, and may have mediated the improvements in cognitive function, observed in arm 1 in the second 6-month period of the trial. Currently, there is no SFPs operational at either national or provincial level in Pakistan. Our findings, therefore, support the need for provision of a school meal to improve learning opportunities for children from the most underprivileged communities.