New research highlights the importance of healthy school meals in tackling undernourishment, diet-related health issues, and environmental harm. A study published in Lancet Planetary Health suggests that improving school meal programs could reduce global undernourishment by 24% and prevent over a million deaths each year linked to diet.
Sadly, only 20% of children worldwide currently benefit from school meals. The researchers from University College London (UCL) identified four key actions to improve this situation: creating diverse menus, using modern cooking techniques, reducing food waste, and offering food education.
They are also developing a toolkit to help governments shift toward sustainable school meal programs, with results expected soon. This initiative is part of a larger effort by the Research Consortium for School Health and Nutrition, advocating for investment in effective school meal programs for a healthier future.
A Smart Investment for the Future
The current global food system is responsible for a third of greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to malnutrition and diet-related diseases. National school meal programs already feed 466 million children daily, making up 70% of the global public food system. This presents a unique opportunity to improve nutrition on a wide scale.
According to Marco Springmann, a professor at UCL, providing sustainable meals to every child by 2030 could positively impact 120 million people in food-insecure areas. Additionally, promoting healthier meals may reduce diseases such as diabetes and heart disease in later life.
Springmann’s research indicates that meals designed to include more vegetables and less meat could cut emissions and land use. He states, “Our modeling shows that healthy school meals can bring health and environmental benefits globally. The savings in health and environmental costs could actually fund the expansion of these programs. It’s clear: investing in school meals is both effective and financially wise.”
Changing the Game with Policy
The research team has outlined a framework for governments to transform food systems through school meals. Their focus is on improving health literacy, promoting biodiversity, supporting local production, and creating resilient food systems.
Dr. Silvia Pastorino, a leader in the Research Consortium, emphasizes that school meals go beyond basic nutrition—they can reshape our food systems. “Healthy, sustainable meals linked to food education boost children’s well-being and build lasting habits, while helping countries protect biodiversity and reduce emissions. Few initiatives offer such comprehensive benefits,” she says.
Last year, various countries took steps to enhance children’s nutrition. For example, Jamaica introduced a National School Nutrition Policy, Spain mandated that schools serve five healthy meals weekly, and Mexico banned junk food in schools.
With these efforts, sustainable school meals could pave the way for a healthier and more equitable future for children and the planet.
While global statistics show progress, the challenge remains: can we provide all children with nutritious meals that benefit both their health and the environment?
For further insights, check out the full study here.
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Malnutrition, Obesity, Children’s Health, School Meals
