Nutrition policies for schools

Abstract

Summary In Britain, Canada and the United States, the impetus for initiating school nutrition policies has come primarily from health, not education, agencies. These agencies define the nutrition problems of school students as both under- and over-nutrition, and, to solve them, advocate the development and implementation of policies to combat health and learning problems associated with poor nutrition. Health, rather than educational, agencies are also more likely to formulate school nutrition policies; such policies commonly address the dietary principles of access, adequacy, and moderation. Within countries, the adoption of school nutrition policies varies considerably. Moreover, the degree to which such policies have been implemented is unclear, because of a lack of research to evaluate their process and impact. To enhance the successful development and implementation of school nutrition policies, greater partnership between health and education agencies is recommended throughout the policy process.