Ludrick Morris | Why paediatricians back Jamaica’s School Nutrition Policy

Ten-year-old Shanelle collapsed during her school’s sports day. Teachers first thought it was dehydration, but at the hospital she was found to be in a hypertensive crisis – an illness rarely seen in children a generation ago. Tests also showed she was pre-diabetic, severely overweight, and anaemic.

Shanelle often skipped breakfast, bought “box juice” and fried snacks at recess, and consumed sugary drinks and packaged treats after school. Her school canteen offered no fruit, and water was seldom promoted. She is now on lifelong medication at just 10 years old.

Her story is not unique; it’s a warning. Childhood obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and anaemia are rising at alarming rates in Jamaica, driven by unhealthy diets and school food environments.

Jamaica’s National School Nutrition Policy is a timely, evidence-based intervention aimed at addressing the root causes of these problems. As paediatricians, we wholeheartedly endorse this policy, not simply as doctors, but as advocates for our nation’s future.

CASE FOR SCHOOL NUTRITION REFORM

Healthy nutrition is the foundation of a child’s growth, learning and immune function. Diets lacking in essential nutrients – or overloaded with added sugar, salt and unhealthy fats – can lead to poor academic performance, weakened immunity, behavioural issues, and chronic illness. The early years are critical; what children eat now shapes their health for decades.

CRITICAL INTERVENTION POINT

Children spend most of their days in school and often consume a significant portion of their daily meals there. This makes the school environment a powerful platform for shaping dietary habits.

Unfortunately, the promotion and sale of unhealthy foods in schools – through vendors, tuck shops, and corporate sponsorships – undermine health education and encourage lifelong brand loyalty to unhealthy products. This contradiction between lessons in the classroom and options in the canteen sends mixed messages to our children.

NUMBERS SPEAK

Local data underscore the urgency for action. The Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey (2016–2017) found that more than half of Jamaicans aged 15 and older are overweight or obese, with low physical activity levels across all age groups.

The Global School-based Student Health Survey (2017) showed overweight rates among 13–15-year-olds rose from 21.7 per cent in 2010 to 25.6 per cent in 2017; obesity nearly doubled in boys (5.3 per cent to 10.3 per cent) and increased in girls (6.7 per cent to 9.9 per cent). PAHO also reports that 8 per cent of children under five are overweight, with national and regional data confirming rising trends.

Childhood NCD risk factors often persist into adulthood – about 55 per cent of obese children remain obese in adolescence, and 70–80 per cent of obese adolescents stay obese as adults, raising lifetime risk for diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.

Because the food environment in childhood shapes tastes, habits, and access patterns, schools are a pivotal setting for early intervention: changing what is available, affordable, and attractive to children can alter life-course risk trajectories.

KEY REASONS FOR SUPPORT

The policy proposes Water Days and Fruit Days, low-cost, culturally appropriate initiatives proven to encourage healthy habits. These repeated exposures can re-shape preferences over time.

- Cutting sugary drinks reduces obesity risk, prevents tooth decay and supports healthy weight.

- Fruit boosts fibre, vitamins and hydration – improving digestion, immunity and energy levels.

- Adequate hydration enhances concentration, reducing fatigue in the classroom.

Sugary drinks are a leading driver of childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes. Removing them from school menus and replacing them with water, coconut water or natural fruit blends protects children’s health while still providing appealing choices.

LONG-TERM BENEFITS

If implemented, the policy can deliver:

- Lower rates of childhood obesity, hypertension and diabetes.

- Better academic performance due to improved concentration and fewer illness-related absences.

- Reduced healthcare costs over time as fewer Jamaicans develop diet-related NCDs.

- Support for local farmers and a more resilient national food supply through local sourcing.

POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Remove taxes on fruits and vegetables

Healthy foods should be the easiest choice, not the most expensive. Removing GCT on fruits and vegetables can make them more affordable for all families, especially in low-income communities.

2. Promote community-school farmer’s markets

Schools can serve as hubs for fresh produce distribution, connecting families directly with local farmers. This not only increases access to healthy food, but also fosters community pride and food literacy.

Paediatric benefits:

- Better nutrition at home and school.

- Positive role models for healthy eating.

- A culture of valuing local, fresh produce.

A single-policy approach will not suffice. An effective strategy must be holistic – addressing nutrition, physical activity, screen time, sleep, and psychosocial support. Poor sleep and excessive screen use increase obesity risk and harm mental health, while chronic stress disrupts appetite and metabolism. The School Nutrition Policy is a major step forward by reshaping the food environment, but it should be embedded in broader school health programmes that promote overall well-being.

We cannot afford to wait. Each year of delay means more children like Shanelle facing preventable illnesses early in life.

We call on:

• Government policymakers to fast-track implementation of the National School Nutrition Policy.

• School leaders to champion healthy canteens, water/fruit days, and school gardens.

• Parents and communities to demand healthier environments and support taxes on unhealthy products.

As paediatricians, our prescription goes beyond medicine – it includes policies that safeguard children’s health. The School Nutrition Policy is a lifeline for Jamaica’s future.

Ludrick Morris is a consultant paediatrician and president of Paediatric Association of Jamaica. Send feedback to ghapjm@gmail.com