School meals have always represented far more than simply satisfying hunger. For countless children across the globe, the food provided at school constitutes the most dependable and nutritious meal they receive each day. Recognizing this critical role, the World Health Organization (WHO) has now established comprehensive global standards to define what these essential meals should truly encompass.
Beyond Basic Nutrition: A Framework for Growth and Learning
The new guidelines move beyond merely counting calories or providing "something warm." They advocate for food that actively supports physical growth, cognitive development, and long-term health outcomes. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, emphasized the profound impact of school nutrition, stating, "The food children eat at school, and the environments that shape what they eat, can have a profound impact on their learning, and lifelong consequences for their health and well-being. Getting nutrition right at school is critical for preventing disease later in life and creating healthier adults."
Three-Pillar Approach to School Food Environments
The WHO has published these evidence-based recommendations, structured around three fundamental areas:
- Direct Food Provision: Standards for meals directly provided by schools.
- Nutrition Standards: Rules governing all foods and beverages served or sold on school premises.
- Nudging Interventions: Strategies to modify the school environment to promote healthier choices automatically.
The organization highlights a significant data gap, noting, "Today, an estimated 466 million children receive school meals globally, yet there remains limited information available about the nutritional quality of the food they are served." This initiative comes amid concerning global trends, with the WHO reporting that in 2025, approximately 1 in 10 school-aged children and adolescents—totaling 188 million—were living with obesity worldwide.
Indian Medical Experts Welcome the Global Initiative
Indian healthcare professionals have welcomed the WHO's move, contextualizing its importance for the nation's youth. Dr. Vivek Jain, Senior Director & Unit Head - Paediatrics at Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, explained to TOI Health, "Healthier food options in schools, combined with positive food environments, can influence how children eat early on in life by encouraging them to make healthier food choices, like fruit, vegetables, and whole grains rather than eating sugary and salty snacks. This leads to developing good eating habits."
He further elaborated on the academic and long-term health benefits, stating, "Since children spend a significant part of each day at school, their eating habits and access to choices largely influence what is considered normal in their lives. This affects their focus in class, memory retention, and ability to learn. Healthier food environments encourage better academic performance and set the foundation for lifelong healthy eating habits, reducing risks of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and related diseases."
India's Triple Burden of Malnutrition
Dr. Sonali Ghosh, Principal Consultant- Paediatrics & HOD PICU at Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital, Faridabad, highlighted the specific challenges facing India. "India is currently burdened by three main nutritional problems: undernourishment, micronutrient insufficiency, and burgeoning numbers of overweight and obese people. All three problems are having a negative impact on social and economic advancement in the country," she said.
Citing the National Family Health Survey (2019-21), Dr. Ghosh pointed out that nearly half of Indian adolescents aged 15-19 are anemic. "Addressing this problem through healthy childhood nutrition is an urgent priority. Because early dietary habits tend to persist into later life, families and schools have an integral part to play in establishing healthy eating patterns," she emphasized.
Collaborative Roles for Parents, Schools, and Government
The experts outlined specific actions for different stakeholders. Dr. Sonali Ghosh stressed the parental role, recommending that parents "pack lunches that include a variety of wholesome foods such as whole grain breads and cereals, fruits, and vegetables; facilitate drinking water instead of sugar-loaded beverages; involve their child in grocery shopping or preparing meals; gradually introduce new, healthy foods; and have no electronic devices at the table during mealtime."
Conversely, Dr. Vivek Jain focused on institutional responsibilities. "Governments and schools can help limit children's exposure to foods high in sugar and salt by implementing nutrition standards that ban the sale and promotion of unhealthy foods in schools, such as vending machines and cafeteria selections. They can also use various placement options, enticing presentations, and strategic pricing to promote healthier food choices," he advised.
Systemic Approaches and Program Integration
Dr. Ghosh mentioned existing initiatives like the Eat Right School program in India, which provides opportunities for teacher role-modelling to reinforce healthy habits. "In addition to including food education in curricula, some policies also require providing nutrition training for staff, along with monitoring compliance," she added.
Dr. Jain concluded by advocating for a holistic environment shift, saying, "In addition to shifting consumption patterns through taxes or subsidies, the creation of environments in which making healthy eating choices becomes the simplest choice for students is another approach to increasing the number of students who eat healthy."
The WHO guidelines ultimately aim to "increase the availability, purchase and consumption of foods and beverages that contribute to a healthy diet, and to reduce the presence and consumption of those that do not." They firmly state that all food and drink in schools "should be safe and support healthy diets, in line with children’s rights and national public health goals," marking a significant step toward safeguarding the health of future generations globally.
