Addressing Hidden Hunger: How Schools Can Play a Vital Role

A recent report from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health highlights a critical issue: billions of people globally are consuming inadequate levels of essential micronutrients like iron, vitamin D, and zinc, leading to “hidden hunger.” This form of malnutrition impacts physical and cognitive development, particularly in children, leaving long-term consequences on their health and productivity.

At Nourishing Schools Foundation, our work directly addresses this issue by focusing on nutrition education in schools. In India, nearly 50% of adolescents suffer from multiple micronutrient deficiencies. This is where schools can make a significant impact. By integrating nutrition education into the school’s activities, we aim to teach children about the importance of a balanced diet and the role of micronutrients in maintaining health.

Our programme empowers students to make informed food choices, not just for themselves but for their families. For instance, through our toolkit, students learn about locally available nutrient-rich foods that can prevent deficiencies. By reaching over 95,000 children in 330 schools, we’re improving academic outcomes and ensuring that children develop lifelong healthy eating habits.

Moreover, we go beyond traditional lessons by implementing hands-on activities like school gardens. These gardens enable students to grow their own produce, reinforcing lessons on nutrition while improving access to fresh, nutrient-dense foods. Schools we’ve worked with have seen increased consumption of fruits and vegetables among students.

Our focus on nutrition also includes practical interventions, such as educating children on identifying sources of essential vitamins and minerals. For example, students learn that consuming leafy greens, pulses, and fortified foods can boost their intake of iron and folate. These are critical nutrients for growth, particularly in communities where dietary diversity may be limited.

By leveraging schools as hubs for nutrition education, we aim to combat hidden hunger at the grassroots level. Our goal is to build a generation that understands the value of nutrition, helping them to thrive academically and physically. This holistic approach not only addresses current deficiencies but also equips communities with the knowledge to sustain healthy practices in the long term.

As the world grapples with hidden hunger, it’s clear that schools have a pivotal role in creating lasting change. Through our targeted programmes, Nourishing Schools Foundation is committed to ensuring that children have the knowledge and resources to lead healthier, more productive lives.

For more information on the global impact of micronutrient deficiencies, you can read the full article from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health here.

Photo by Ratul Ghosh on Unsplash