NEW YORK: In the battle against rising obesity rates, chronic illnesses, and social inequalities, a coalition of experts insists that providing at least one nutritious school meal a day for children across Europe is paramount. The pressing concern is highlighted by the fact that almost a third of primary school-age children in Europe are either overweight or obese, and nearly a quarter of EU children face the risk of poverty or social exclusion.
The experts, collaborating through a four-year EU-funded initiative called SchoolFood4Change, emphasize the urgent need for action to ensure that all European children can access a daily nutritious meal, especially in light of the current cost of living crisis affecting families across the continent.
Peter Defranceschi, a member of the SchoolFood4Change project, stresses the importance of establishing a minimum standard where every child, regardless of socio-economic background, receives a healthy school meal every day. This, he believes, is a smart and essential step toward fostering a healthier Europe, transcending political ideologies.
The initiative, involving over 3,000 schools and 600,000 schoolchildren across 12 EU countries, views school meals as potential catalysts for systemic change at a societal level. However, the availability of free school meals varies considerably across Europe, with countries like Finland, Estonia, and Sweden guaranteeing free meals, while others, such as Norway and the Netherlands, lag behind in this regard.
Read Also: Pyo Ye-rim: South Korean Advocate for School Bullying Survivors Dies
Defranceschi points out that amidst the rising food prices, some parents struggle to provide proper meals for their children, highlighting the vital role of schools in ensuring children receive adequate nutrition. He also emphasizes the issue of children attending school without breakfast, hindering their ability to concentrate and learn effectively.
Manuel Franco, a project advisor and expert in epidemiology and public health, underscores the importance of shifting the perspective on school meals from an expense to a crucial tool for future health crisis management and reducing social disparities. Investing in healthy school meals is seen as a proactive measure to mitigate health problems in the long run, making it an investment rather than an expenditure.
Franco draws attention to the disparities in diet quality among children based on income levels, advocating for a comprehensive approach to ensure that those who need school meals the most are the primary beneficiaries. The European Child Guarantee, adopted two years ago, emphasizes the importance of providing free education, including a healthy school meal each day, as a fundamental right for children.
Failure to act promptly, according to Franco and his colleagues, will result in widespread health issues and increased future expenses. An online petition urging a healthy school meal for every child has gained substantial support, further underscoring the importance of this initiative for the well-being of European children.
