New Delhi: There is growing concern over the increasing rates of obesity and Type-2 diabetes among young school children. To address this issue, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has taken a new initiative. CBSE has instructed around 27,000 affiliated schools to establish a ‘Sugar Board’.
These boards will educate children about how much sugar they should consume and promote measures to control sugar intake. Excessive sugar consumption is not only linked to the risk of developing Type-2 diabetes, but it also leads to obesity, dental problems, and other health issues.
Obesity is associated with heart disease, respiratory problems, liver disorders, cancer, and even mental health issues such as depression. These health problems can affect students’ education and future quality of life.
Children are frequently exposed to added sugars through their food — including sweetened beverages, sugary snacks, and highly processed foods — particularly in school tiffin boxes. Ideally, sugar should make up no more than 5% of a child’s daily calorie intake. However, research shows that children aged 4 to 10 get about 13% of their daily calories from sugar. Similarly, for those aged 11 to 18, sugar accounts for about 15% of their daily calorie intake.