A scientific study that sets out to prove bad diet is a significant cause of violent and antisocial behaviour has received Government approval but no funding.
An initial eight-month study, conducted at Aylesbury young offenders' institute in Buckinghamshire last year, suggested prisoners who took nutrient capsules committed 35% fewer disciplinary offences than those who unknowingly took placebo pills.
More detailed research was scheduled to go ahead at three young offenders' institutes this summer, but the £2.5m funding is still not in place.
Bernard Gesch, senior physiologist at Oxford University who is directing the research, said: "The Government says it wants to be tough on the causes of crime. How can you prevent something unless you know what causes it? You'd have thought they'd be interested to find out exactly what those causes are."
Unlike socioeconomic factors thought to relate to crime, nutrition can be readily tested with experimental designs, and correcting deficiency was straightforward and cheap, he said.
Gesch added that there is mounting evidence that a lack of vitamins, minerals and fatty acids impair the normal functioning of the brain. His original study has already attracted interest from schools with discipline problems.
"Public sector catering will be regarded as a great deal more important once a nutritious diet is scientifically proven to be as essential to mental health as it is to physical health," Gesch said.
A Home Office spokesman said: "We have not committed funds for this research but have agreed to allow further access to prisons. We have not accepted the findings of the original study, but we want to find out more."
Gerry Woods, business director of Eurest Criminal Justice, a division of Compass, welcomed the plans for more detailed research. He said Eurest's prison menus conform to the Food Standards Agency's "Balance of Good Health" model, promoting healthy eating through the five food groups.
Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 27 February - 5 March 2003