School-Provided Meals and the Prevention of Childhood Obesity: A Small part of a Very Important Story.

Abstract

Purpose of review: To present the evidence base in support of high-income country investment in universal school-provided meals (SPMs) for the purposes of optimising child health and wellbeing, including obesity prevention.

Recent findings: Many countries provide some form of SPMs. Models (universal, free; targeted; subsidised) vary globally, however optimal growth and development of children as a potential outcome is a consistent feature. SPMs can positively impact diet quality, household food and nutrition security and potentially weight status but is dependent on the model. Universal school meals offered as part of whole-of-school approaches appear to be most effective in optimising children's growth and development. Critical elements for successful SPMs include being underpinned by enforceable nutrition and sustainability standards, offered in ways that are stigma-free, being embedded within a whole-school approach and conceptualising SPMS as part of transformative food systems. Weight status is only one of many potential outcomes of SPMs. Implementing universal SPMs is a triple duty action that can address the global syndemic of obesity, undernutrition and climate change. Attention needs to be paid to the model of implementation and key principles for success.