Time to Improve Nutrition for School-Aged Kids

Nutrition shapes how kids feel, learn, grow, and stay healthy—for life.

CONCERNING STATS 1 Many kids in Canada aren’t getting the nutrition they need. TIME TO ACT 1 Good nutrition in childhood supports: NUTRITION MATTERS 1 say they go to school or bed hungry because there isn’t enough food at home.1 1 in 5 kids HUNGER IS REAL 1 of calories come from highly processed foods, crowding out nourishing food.2 57% TOO MANY PROCESSED FOODS 1 The majority of adolescents miss daily targets for: TOO FEW NOURISHING FOODS 3 1 NUTRITION GAPS ARE COMMON 3-6 1 SPOTLIGHT ON IRON, ZINC and VITAMIN B12 SHORTFALLS 1 5

Spotlight on Protein

Know Your Protein Sources

Time to Prioritize Iron

FREE RESOURCE Support your teen girl with iron-rich meals and must-know facts. Order now Read or download

6 More Helpful Resources for Parents

School Lunch Inspiration
Nutrition in the School Years
Nutrition for Active Kids
School Food Toolkit
Iron Matters
Meal Solutions
CLICK FOR REFERENCES
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  2. Polsky JY et al. 2020. Consumption of ultra-processed foods in Canada. Statistics Canada health reports. Government of Canada.
  3. Health Canada. 2015. Evidence Review for Dietary Guidance. Technical Report.
  4. University of Manitoba. 2023. Food and Nutrition Security for Manitoba Youth: A Research Report on the FANS Study.
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  6. Cooper M et al. Population Iron Status in Canada: Results from the Canadian Health Measures Survey 2012–2019. J Nutr 2023;153:1534–154.
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  9. Fabek H, Salamat S, and Anderson GH. Association Between Dietary Protein Sources and Nutrient Intake in the Diet of Canadian Children. Nutrients 2025;17(11):1834.
  10. Canadian Paediatric Society. 2022. Iron deficiency anemia in children.
  11. Stubbendorff A et al. Iron insight: exploring dietary patterns and iron deficiency among teenage girls in Sweden. European Journal of Nutrition 2025;64:107.
  12. Institute of Medicine. 2001. Dietary Reference Intakes for vitamin A, vitamin K, arsenic, boron, chromium, copper, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, silicon, vanadium, and zinc. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
  13. Canadian Pediatric Surveillance Program. 2011. Iron-deficiency anemia in children.
  14. Cofnas N. Is vegetarianism healthy for children? Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2018;59(13):20522060.
  15. Cooper MJ, Cockell KA, and L’Abbé MR. The iron status of Canadian adolescents and adults: current knowledge and practical implications. Can J Diet Pract Res 2006;67(3):1308.