Children should get one healthy school meal a day, say EU experts

Nutritious lunches should be seen as an effective way to address obesity, chronic illness and poverty, says coalition

• It's about stimulating the children': how school lunches look across Europe

Children across Europe must receive at least one nutritious school meal a day if governments want to tackle rising obesity rates, prevent chronic illnesses and reduce social inequalities, according to a coalition of experts.

Nearly a third of primary school-age children in Europe are either overweight or obese, while almost a quarter of children in the EU are at risk of poverty or social exclusion.