MONDAY, June 15, 2026 (NewsDay News) — Pediatricians should participate in and advocate for efforts to support high-quality school nutrition education programs, according to a policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics published online June 15. Pediatrics.
Elizabeth Zmuda, DO, of OhioHealth Doctors Hospital in Columbus, and colleagues developed recommendations for pediatricians to promote effective approaches to feeding children and adolescents in schools.
The authors recommend that students, parents, and school administrators follow basic nutritional guidelines based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Full implementation of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines for school meals and Smart Snacks sold in schools should be supported; To improve the nutritional quality of foods brought to schools for classroom parties and celebrations, the authors recommend encouraging families and school staff to implement the Smart Snacks standards. Whenever possible, advisory boards should be encouraged to increase federal nutrition requirements and include broad community input. School health boards should be encouraged to work with dietitians, school nurses, and food service directors to influence student nutrition. Improvements in school infrastructure, including catering facilities, school gardens and efficient food distribution systems, should be encouraged. Collaboration with teachers and health educators is recommended to promote USDA initiatives that strengthen school nutrition environments and ensure inclusive nutrition for all students.
“For many families, school meals are a reliable source of balanced and nutritious food that they eat every day,” Zmuda said. “Breakfasts, lunches and snacks provided at school not only satisfy hunger, but also promote learning, growth and health. We know that children whose meals are healthy and balanced are more likely to participate in class and improve overall academic performance.”
One author revealed links to the pharmaceutical industry.
