Current Research in Nutrition in the School Curriculum in England

Abstract

Good nutrition is fundamental for health and well-being. Given the increasing levels of obesity in the United Kingdom, it is important that food and nutrition are taught from a young age. The school curriculum can ensure that pupils have the knowledge to make healthy choices, whilst the school environment can play a role in ensuring that pupils have the opportunities to make healthy choices. Food and nutrition in the school curriculum must be grounded in evidence-based guidelines that consider current nutrition information and how nutrition knowledge can be applied. The curriculum should include the fundamentals of energy balance and nutrient requirements; describe a balanced diet; consider public health, obesity and related co-morbidities; consider food journeys from farm to fork; and consider food safety and the application of nutrition knowledge. New areas for nutrition research, such as the role of the gut microbiome in health and disease, sustainability and global food security, can also be embedded into the curriculum to ensure that teaching is up to date and relevant. Using research to enhance the teaching of food and nutrition in schools, we can ensure that pupils have the knowledge they need to make healthy food choices to protect their health in the short and long terms.