CBSE directed all its affiliated schools to establish "sugar boards" in a recent circular. This is to educate children about the dangers of excessive sugar consumption.
The action has come amid rising trend of children being diagonised with Type 2 diabetes, a condition once almost exclusively seen in adults.
"Over the past decade, there has been a significant increase in Type 2 diabetes among children, largely due to the easy availability of sugary snacks, beverages and processed foods within school environments," the circular noted.
it further highlighted that sugar is almost 13 per cent of the daily calorie intake of children aged 4 to 10 years and 15 per cent for those aged 11 to 18 years. The recommended limit is 5 per cent.
The initiative aims to educate students about healthy eating. The "sugar boards" have been asked to display information, such as the recommended daily intake, the sugar content in commonly consumed foods like junk food and cold drinks, health risks associated with high sugar consumption, and healthier alternatives.
The circular also directs schools to "organise awareness seminars and workshops" to reinforce these lessons and to submit reports on their efforts by mid-July.
Experts have mixed reactions about the potential impact of the move. Some appreciated the new initiative but a few point out how such measures taken in the past did nothing.
A schoolteacher said the "sugar boards" alone won't solve the problem. "Merely putting up information doesn't guarantee behaviour change. Without strict regulation on what is sold in and around schools, the impact may be limited," he told TOI.
There has been an effort to promote healthy eating in educational institution for a longtime. This included a series of regulations, inspections and awareness campaigns aimed at reducing the consumption of foods high in fat, sugar and salt within school environments.
The Delhi High Court, in 2015, directed the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to implement guidelines restricting the sale of unhealthy foods in and around schools. This focused on the importance of creating a nutritious food environment and also educating children about healthy eating.
Adding to this, the Directorate of Education issued a circular in 2016, advising schools to sensitise students and parents about the negative effects of foods high in fat, sugar and salt. It encouraged schools to consider banning such items from their canteens.
Previously, in 2018, University Grants Commission (UGC) had taken a step further by directing all universities and higher education institutions to ban the sale of junk food on campuses. This move was in response to a report by the ministry of women and child development that highlighted the adverse effects of fat, sugar and salt-heavy foods.
In 2019, FSSAI proposed a nationwide ban on the sale of junk foods in school canteens.
The action has come amid rising trend of children being diagonised with Type 2 diabetes, a condition once almost exclusively seen in adults.
"Over the past decade, there has been a significant increase in Type 2 diabetes among children, largely due to the easy availability of sugary snacks, beverages and processed foods within school environments," the circular noted.
it further highlighted that sugar is almost 13 per cent of the daily calorie intake of children aged 4 to 10 years and 15 per cent for those aged 11 to 18 years. The recommended limit is 5 per cent.
The initiative aims to educate students about healthy eating. The "sugar boards" have been asked to display information, such as the recommended daily intake, the sugar content in commonly consumed foods like junk food and cold drinks, health risks associated with high sugar consumption, and healthier alternatives.
The circular also directs schools to "organise awareness seminars and workshops" to reinforce these lessons and to submit reports on their efforts by mid-July.
Experts have mixed reactions about the potential impact of the move. Some appreciated the new initiative but a few point out how such measures taken in the past did nothing.
A schoolteacher said the "sugar boards" alone won't solve the problem. "Merely putting up information doesn't guarantee behaviour change. Without strict regulation on what is sold in and around schools, the impact may be limited," he told TOI.
There has been an effort to promote healthy eating in educational institution for a longtime. This included a series of regulations, inspections and awareness campaigns aimed at reducing the consumption of foods high in fat, sugar and salt within school environments.
The Delhi High Court, in 2015, directed the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to implement guidelines restricting the sale of unhealthy foods in and around schools. This focused on the importance of creating a nutritious food environment and also educating children about healthy eating.
Adding to this, the Directorate of Education issued a circular in 2016, advising schools to sensitise students and parents about the negative effects of foods high in fat, sugar and salt. It encouraged schools to consider banning such items from their canteens.
Previously, in 2018, University Grants Commission (UGC) had taken a step further by directing all universities and higher education institutions to ban the sale of junk food on campuses. This move was in response to a report by the ministry of women and child development that highlighted the adverse effects of fat, sugar and salt-heavy foods.
In 2019, FSSAI proposed a nationwide ban on the sale of junk foods in school canteens.
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