New emphasis on healthy and balanced school lunches to combat childhood obesity

As schools reopen, experts highlight the importance of balanced meals and physical activity in tackling rising concerns over children’s health and nutrition, urging parents to prioritise fresh, low-sugar foods in lunch boxes.

As schools reopen, the contents of children’s lunch boxes are back in focus, with parents and specialists again debating how best to support healthy weight, concentration and energy through the school day. The issue has grown more pressing as concerns about both obesity and undernourishment among pupils continue to shape discussion about what children eat before and during classes.

Nutrition specialists quoted by Hespress say the answer begins with balance. Leila Bellhadi Bensami, an endocrinology, diabetes and nutrition specialist, said children need varied meals that provide steady energy, help them concentrate and avoid the high levels of sugar, fat and processed ingredients that can increase the risk of obesity. She stressed the importance of breakfast, recommending whole grains, fruit and a protein source such as milk, yoghurt or eggs.

For children who do not want breakfast, Bellhadi Bensami said there should be no pressure to eat. Instead, she suggested a small mid-morning snack to take to school, such as fruit, dried fruit and bread, while keeping even packaged snacks as healthy as possible by pairing them with vegetables or dairy. Her advice echoes guidance from the American Heart Association, which recommends whole grains, fruit and vegetables, and involving children in preparing their lunch to make healthier eating more appealing. The Mayo Clinic Health System also says a balanced lunch supports growth, learning and academic performance.

Bellhadi Bensami said a home-made lunch should include vegetables, fruit, fibre, protein and as little added sugar as possible. She also highlighted the role of water, saying it should not be replaced by juice, and encouraged families to let children take part in choosing and packing their meals so they feel more engaged with what they eat. That approach is consistent with advice from the CDC and JAMA Pediatrics, both of which point to meals built around fruit, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein while limiting foods high in sugar, fat and salt.

A second specialist, Mohammed Adeshour, told Hespress that childhood obesity is becoming an increasingly serious problem at the start of each school year. He warned that overweight children often carry the condition into adulthood, creating a longer-term public health burden. Adeshour said the problem is driven in part by poorly planned meals and by low physical activity, adding that children should move for about an hour a day. The CDC has likewise said schools need to give pupils enough time to eat properly and that nutrition education can help children accept healthier foods.