From School Lunches to Sustainable Health: WHO Sets New Global Standards

The World Health Organization (WHO) has taken a decisive step for the future of younger generations by publishing its new global guidelines on school nutrition. This strategic framework is based on a profound belief: dietary habits formed in childhood shape the health of tomorrow's adults. As emphasized by Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, the nutritional environment in which students operate influences not only their learning abilities but also their long-term well-being.

The urgency is palpable as statistics from 2025 reveal a historic shift, with the global rate of childhood obesity surpassing that of underweight for the first time. Today, one in ten school-aged children is affected by obesity, while nearly 400 million youth are overweight. Concurrently, diabetes now affects over 800 million people worldwide, highlighting a major health crisis. While more than a hundred countries already have school food policies, less than half of them strictly regulate the marketing of overly sugary, salty, or fatty products.

To reverse this trend, the WHO advocates for a radical transformation of menus by promoting whole grains, fruits, nuts, and legumes while drastically limiting saturated fats and sodium. Beyond the contents of the plate, the agency focuses on gentle nudging techniques, such as adjusting portion sizes and strategically arranging healthy foods, to naturally guide children's choices. The organization is now committed to providing technical support to member countries so that schools everywhere can become the first line of defense against chronic diseases.