Health Ministry Begins National Push to Improve School Nutrition Standards

The Ministry of Health has launched a national workshop bringing together education, health, and regional stakeholders to strengthen nutrition standards in schools and early childhood institutions across Antigua and Barbuda.

Opening the session, Health Minister Sir Molwyn Joseph warned that the country must act urgently as childhood overweight and obesity continue to rise across the Caribbean, now affecting one in three children.

“Childhood obesity threatens the future of our nation,” Joseph said. “We must confront unhealthy eating habits and poor food environments head-on. This workshop is a critical step in protecting the health of our young people.”

The training initiative is anchored in the CARPHA/PAHO Technical Recommendations—a regional framework aimed at reshaping school food environments by reducing access to unhealthy products and promoting nutritious alternatives. The guidelines also support better dietary habits and long-term health outcomes for children.

According to the Minister, the government’s objective is to implement robust national nutrition standards so that all learning environments foster “healthy growth, strong minds, and bright futures.”

Participants will receive practical instruction in food safety, healthier meal preparation, application of the technical recommendations, and strategies for developing standards through multisector collaboration.

The event was attended by Director of Education Clare Browne and CARPHA Technical Officer Abigail Caleb, both of whom underscored the importance of coordinated action to address childhood nutrition challenges.

This workshop forms part of Antigua and Barbuda’s broader commitment to reducing non-communicable diseases and eliminating all forms of malnutrition by 2030, in keeping with global Sustainable Development Goals.