From lunch tray to lifelong health: WHO sets global standards for school meals
January 30, 2026
Rates of childhood overweight and obesity continue to rise globally, while undernutrition remains an ongoing concern.
For the first time, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued global recommendations on healthy and nutritious food for schools worldwide.
The UN health agency’s newly released guidance outlines evidence-based policies and interventions, demonstrating that access to healthy food in schools can help children establish positive dietary habits that last a lifetime. “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,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. Food habits start early Rates of childhood overweight and obesity continue to rise globally, while undernutrition remains an ongoing concern. In 2025, global childhood obesity levels exceeded cases of underweight for the first time. Approximately one in 10 school-aged children and adolescents were living with obesity last year, while one in five—equivalent to 391 million—were classified as overweight. In addition, a recent WHO report found that diabetes now affects more than 800 million people worldwide and impacts one in six pregnancies. As of October 2025, 104 Member States had policies addressing healthy school food. However, only 48 countries had implemented policies restricting the marketing of foods high in sugar, salt, or unhealthy fats, according to WHO. For the millions of children who spend a significant portion of their day at school, the surrounding food environment plays a key role in shaping long-term eating behaviors. “Getting nutrition right at school is critical for preventing disease later in life and creating healthier adults,” Tedros added. More pulses, less sugar WHO recommends increasing access to healthy foods and beverages in schools while reducing the availability of unhealthy options. This includes limiting free sugars, saturated fats, and sodium, and promoting foods such as whole grains, fruits, nuts, and pulses. The guidance also encourages the use of “nudging interventions,” including adjustments to food packaging, placement, or portion sizes, to influence children toward healthier food choices. To support implementation, WHO will provide countries with technical assistance, opportunities for knowledge-sharing, and other collaborative measures to help translate the new guidance into action. |
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