From lunch tray to lifelong health: WHO sets global standards for school meals

The UN agency's new global guidance on evidence-based policies and interventions shows that healthy food in schools can help children develop healthy dietary habits for life.

"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

Overweight childhood obesity and obesity are rising globally, while undernutrition remains a persistent challenge.

Child obesity levels surpassed underweight cases around the world for the first time in 2025.

Around one in 10 school-aged children and adolescents were living with obesity last year, and one in five – or 391 million – were overweight.

Additionally, a recent WHO report revealed that diabetes now affects over 800 million people globally and one in 6 pregnancies.

As of October 2025, 104 Member States had policies relating to healthy school food, but only 48 countries had policies that restrict the marketing of foods high in sugar, salt or unhealthy fats, according to WHO.

For the millions of children that spend a large chunk of their day at school, the food environment they are exposed to can shape their future dietary habits.

"Getting nutrition right at school is critical for preventing disease later in life and creating healthier adults," said Tedros.

More pulses, less sugar

WHO recommends increasing the availability of healthy foods and beverages while reducing unhealthy foods. That means limiting free sugars, saturated fats and sodium, while offering more whole grains, fruits, nuts and pulses.

Other recommendations include implementing 'nudging interventions' – changes in the packaging, placement or portion size of foods designed to encourage children to select healthier foods.

The organisation will support countries with technical assistance, knowledge-sharing and other collaborative measures, to realise the new guidance.