National Expert Dialogue on School Nutrition and Healthy Food Environments for Children and Adolescents
…. dialogue comes as government focuses on healthy meals at schools
Tashkent, 10 April 2026 — In a bold bid to improve child and adolescent nutrition, Government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) today are convening an inaugural National Expert Dialogue on school nutrition and the development of healthy food environments for children and adolescents in Uzbekistan.
This milestone event brings together representatives of parliament, key ministries and agencies, international organizations, and the expert community to discuss strategic directions for national policy on nutrition, to new emerging evidence and facilitate consensus on policy actions to improve child and adolescent nutrition.
While there is widespread acknowledgement that advancing school nutrition is a core investment in human capital, linking education, health, and economic productivity, emerging evidence is showing that only 1 in 6 schools are providing any form of school feeding, meanwhile 3 out 4 school offer food and beverages for sale, often high in sugar, salt, and fats. Further, emerging data show that more than 25% of adolescents are overweight or obese, particularly among boys.
“New national data reveal gaps in school food environments and adolescent diets, underscoring the need for regulatory action on unhealthy food availability, strengthened standards, and a shift toward nutritious, equitable school feeding systems,” said UNICEF Representative to Uzbekistan
Two complementary studies were conducted to inform the dialogue. These were the School Nutrition Environment Assessment (NEATs) and the National Adolescent Nutrition Survey, providing a comprehensive understanding of school food environments, adolescents’ dietary patterns, and the factors influencing food choices.
“The dialogue is an important step towards Government-led, multisectoral approach to this important issue, said Oral Ataniyazova, Deputy Chair of the Senate Committee on Science, Education, and Healthcare. “It is vital for us to coordinate across health, education, agriculture, and finance sectors, with clear institutional responsibilities and accountability mechanisms for delivering results.”
Uzbekistan is prioritizing the expansion of safe, affordable, and nutritious school meals, combined with restrictions on unhealthy food environments, to reduce inequalities and prevent the rise of diet-related noncommunicable diseases.
Key outcomes from the Experts Dialogue will be multisectoral coordination mechanisms and the development of a roadmap for strengthening school nutrition
For media queries please contact:
Olga Kim - Health and Nutrition Specialist:
Office: +998 78 1480200 | Mobile: +998 93 5050161
