Not so sweet: CBSE tells schools to form ‘sugar boards’ to educate kids on diabetes

New Delhi: When 12-year-old Harshita (name changed) started feeling constantly fatigued and unusually thirsty, her parents initially brushed it off as summer heat.However, a routine health check-up revealed a surprising diagnosis – Type 2 diabetes, a condition once almost exclusively seen in adults. Harshita's case is part of a worrying trend that has prompted the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to take action.In a recent circular, CBSE directed all its affiliated schools to establish "sugar boards" to educate students about the dangers of excessive sugar consumption. "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 highlighted that sugar constitutes 13% of the daily calorie intake of children aged 4 to 10 years and 15% for those aged 11 to 18 years, far exceeding the 5% recommended limit.The initiative aims to arm students with crucial knowledge about healthy eating. The "sugar boards" will 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 further 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 opinions about the potential impact of this move. While some appreciate the step, others 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 said.An effort to promote healthier eating in educational institutions has been on for a long time. The efforts have 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.In 2015, Delhi High Court directed the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to implement guidelines restricting the sale of unhealthy foods in and around schools. This directive emphasised the importance of creating a nutritious food environment and also educating children about healthy eating.Building on 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.In 2018, the University Grants Commission (UGC) took this 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. However, experts argue that consistent enforcement and continuous awareness are essential.