The WHO warned that early dietary habits have long‑term implications for children’s health and learning outcomes. The new evidence‑based guidance outlines policies and interventions that can help shape healthier food environments for the millions of children who spend a significant portion of their day in school.

“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 WHO Director‑General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

WHO warned that overweight and obesity among children continue to climb globally, even as undernutrition remains a persistent challenge. For the first time, worldwide child obesity cases surpassed underweight cases in 2025. Around one in 10 school‑aged children and adolescents were living with obesity last year, while one in five, equivalent to 391 million, were overweight.

A recent WHO study also found that diabetes now affects more than 800 million people worldwide, and one in six pregnancies. As of October 2025, 104 countries had implemented some form of healthy school food policy, yet only 48 had introduced measures restricting the marketing of foods high in sugar, salt or unhealthy fats.

The WHO stressed that the food environment in schools plays a decisive role in shaping children’s future dietary patterns. “Getting nutrition right at school is critical for preventing disease later in life and creating healthier adults,” said Tedros.

The new recommendations encourage schools to boost the availability of healthy foods while reducing access to unhealthy options.

Key guidance includes:

• Limiting free sugars, saturated fats and sodium
• Increasing whole grains, fruits, nuts and pulses
• Providing healthier beverages
• Introducing “nudging interventions” such as improved placement, packaging or portion sizes to encourage healthier choices

These behavioural‑science approaches are designed to make nutritious foods the easier, more appealing option for children. The WHO said it will support governments with technical assistance, knowledge‑sharing and collaborative initiatives to help implement the new standards.

–UN/ChannelAfrica–