India's free school meals boost nutrition for generations, study reveals

A new study has revealed long-term benefits of India’s Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme. Women who received free school meals as children now have children with better growth. The findings highlight the programme’s lasting impact on nutrition across generations. Researchers used data from 1993 to 2016 to track mothers and their children. They found a clear link between the MDM scheme and improved school attendance, learning outcomes, and reduced hunger. Children of mothers who benefited from the programme showed better linear growth, a key marker of nutrition.

The study also suggests school meals may influence education, health care access, and future fertility choices. These factors help reduce the risk of undernutrition in the next generation. Published in Nature Communications, the research was led by the International Food Policy Research Institute and the University of Washington.

India runs the world’s largest school feeding programme, serving millions daily. Until now, the long-term nutritional effects of the MDM scheme were unclear. The findings point to intergenerational benefits of school meal programmes. Further research could explore whether improving meal quality or extending the scheme beyond primary school might increase these effects. The study underscores the value of investing in child nutrition for long-term health outcomes.