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June 17, 2026PEDIATRICS0 citations

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

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EZElizabeth ZmudaTHTamara S. HannonJVJennifer Valentic

Key Points

  • This policy statement emphasizes the essential role of pediatricians in advocating for effective nutritional approaches in schools.
  • Review of regulations and guidelines impacting school nutrition over the last two decades.
  • Assessment of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on child nutrition.
  • Recommendations for promoting universal access to high-quality school meals.
  • Significant improvements in the nutritional quality of school meal programs have been observed.
  • Increased awareness of food insecurity's impact on child nutrition emphasized the importance of school meals.
  • Calls for advocacy to ensure continuous access to diverse and nutritious meals in schools.

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.

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Cite This Study

Zmuda et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a3239f6d50b63ecad2053a8https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2026-077404
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