UNESCO Releases 'Education and Nutrition: Learn to Eat Well' Report at Nutrition for Growth 2025 Event in Paris.

International

In March 2025, the Paris (France)-based United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) released its latest report titled 'Education and Nutrition: Learn to Eat Well', which highlights the quality of meals served in schools globally.


      - The report was unveiled during the 'Nutrition for Growth (N4G)' event, hosted by France from March 27 to 28, 2025, in Paris. It was developed by UNESCO in collaboration with the Research Consortium for School Health and Nutrition.

      - The report calls on governments to not only expand access to school meals but also enhance their nutritional value, ensuring better health and learning outcomes for students worldwide.

      - The UNESCO report found that 50% of primary school pupils received meals in 2024, but 27% lacked nutritionist input (2022). Only 93 of 187 countries had school food regulations, raising concerns about meal quality.

Main Point :-   (i) Among these 93 countries, only 65% had regulations covering foods sold in cafeterias and vending machines, pointing to gaps in ensuring healthy meal options. The report emphasized the positive impact of nutritious school meals on education, with data showing that school meals increased enrolment by 9% and attendance by 8%, while also improving learning outcomes.

      (ii) The report also addressed the rising concern of childhood obesity, which has more than doubled in most countries since 1990, even as food insecurity continues to escalate. Despite this, 418 million children now benefit from school meals globally, an increase of 30 million since early 2020, showcasing efforts to expand school feeding programs post-pandemic.

(iii) However, nutritional deficiencies remain a major issue, as over half of school meal programs lack adequate fruits and vegetables, while one-third continue to provide sugary drinks, highlighting the urgent need for improved food quality in schools.
About UNESCO

Director-General (DG): Audrey Azoulay
Headquarters : Paris, France
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