Objective: We aimed to reveal the nutritional issues of Guatemalan school children (SC) by comparing anthropometric data and school lunch (SL) history in Guatemala with those in Japan and discuss the role of SL in improving Guatemalan SC's nutritional status.Methods: We compared the height and weight data collected in 2017 of 3,282 Guatemalan SC living in S city and Japanese SC based on school-health statistics. Information regarding SL history and lunch menus in both countries was collected through a literature review and field research in Guatemala. Nutrient values of SLs were calculated by estimating the kind and weight of ingredients using photographs.Results and Discussion: The mean values of height and weight of Guatemalan SC (6~12 years) were lower than those of Japanese SC in 2017. Interestingly, the height (in 2017) of the Guatemalan SC was like that of the Japanese SC (in 1948), when the Japanese were facing severe malnutrition. Although Japanese SL has been served as lunch without fail until now, Guatemalan SL has been served as snacks intermittently. In Japan, the concept of SL was initiated in 1947, and the School Lunch Act was enacted seven years later; while it took 58 years in Guatemala.Conclusion: Although 60 years have passed since SL began, Guatemalan SC have not only experienced malnutrition but stunted growth. In Japan, SL is contributing to improving nutritional conditions and constitution among SC. The continuous provision of nutritious SL in accordance with the Law may be necessary to improve the nutritional and anthropometric status of Guatemalan SC.