The Role of the Pediatrician to Promote Effective Approaches for Child and Adolescent Nutrition in Schools: Policy Statement

Abstract

Substantial gains have been made in school nutrition over the last 2 decades. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the impact of food insecurity on child and adolescent nutrition, underscoring the value of school meal programs. Federal, state, and local regulations have improved the nutritional quality of school meal programs, including updated school meal guidelines from the US Department of Agriculture. Advocacy for universal school nutrition is needed to promote policies that prioritize continuous access to meals and snacks of high nutritional value and variety, experiential (hands on, practical, reflective) learning, and positive eating environments.