Introduction of 'Sugar Boards' in Schools
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has directed over 24,000 affiliated schools across India to establish 'sugar boards' to educate students about the risks of excessive sugar intake. This initiative is aimed at curbing the rising sugar consumption among school-going children.
Background and Implementation
- Concept introduced by food influencer Revant Himatsingka through a video appeal for a 'sugar board' campaign.
- The campaign uses visual aids to show the sugar content in common drinks like aerated beverages and packaged fruit juices.
- Example: A 300 ml bottle of a popular aerated drink contains eight teaspoons of sugar; a 125 ml packaged mango drink contains five teaspoons of sugar.
- Schools are required to submit reports and photos of these activities by July 15.
Support and Advocacy
- The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) advocates for the adoption of 'sugar boards' in all schools, including those affiliated with State boards.
- Increased awareness aims to reach nearly two crore students and their families.
Health Concerns
- Increasing incidence of Type 2 Diabetes among children, attributed to high sugar intake.
- Estimated incidence of Type 2 Diabetes in Indian children is 397 per lakh, second only to China.
- Studies show that sugar constitutes 13% of daily calorie intake for children aged 4 to 10 years, and 15% for those aged 11 to 18 years, exceeding the recommended limit of 5%.
Regulatory Challenges
- The Food Standards and Safety Authority of India (FSSAI) is working on defining High Fat, Salt, and Sugar (HFSS) standards specific to school meals.
- Current regulations rely on WHO guidelines, restricting daily sugar intake to 25 grams (six teaspoons).
- Experts suggest that India should develop its own standards based on indigenous data due to the genetic predisposition of Indians to heart diseases.
Future Steps
- NCPCR plans to introduce directives for foods high in salt and trans-fats.
- Data on child diabetes is being gathered from government hospitals.
- Workshops and stakeholder meetings with pediatric doctors are planned to further promote healthy eating habits among children.