Is CBSE's Sugar Board a Vital Public Health Initiative Aligning with Global Nutrition Objectives?

New Delhi, May 27 (NationPress) The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has recently mandated the installation of "Sugar Boards" in schools, a crucial public health initiative that aligns with international nutrition objectives, as stated by health specialists on Tuesday.

With the rise in diabetes and obesity cases among young children, the CBSE directed over 24,000 affiliated schools across India last week to set up these sugar boards.

The Sugar Boards will offer vital information, including recommended sugar intake, sugar levels in commonly consumed food items (like junk food and soft drinks), health hazards linked to high sugar intake, and healthier dietary options.

“This initiative raises awareness among children regarding the risks of excessive sugar consumption, a significant factor contributing to childhood obesity and Type 2 diabetes. By prominently displaying recommended sugar limits and sugar content in popular foods, the boards advocate for informed choices,” remarked Dr. Naval Vikram, Professor of Medicine at AIIMS, New Delhi, in an interview with IANS.

“When combined with workshops and engagement from parents, this strategy can transform dietary habits from an early age. It’s a timely and necessary public health action that aligns with global nutrition targets, establishing a foundation for enduring wellness among Indian children,” the expert noted.

Type 2 diabetes, once primarily seen in adults and the elderly, is increasingly affecting children.

In a letter to school principals, the CBSE cited the alarming trend, particularly noticeable over the last decade, as being associated with high sugar consumption, often due to the easy access to sugary snacks, drinks, and processed foods in school settings.

The World Health Organization (WHO) advocates for reduced added sugar intake throughout one’s lifespan. For both adults and children, WHO advises limiting free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake. The UN health agency further recommends a reduction to below 5% of total energy consumption.

“Research reveals that sugar constitutes 13% of daily caloric intake for children aged 4 to 10 years, and 15% for those aged 11 to 18 years, significantly surpassing the recommended limit of 5%,” the letter stated.

The CBSE acknowledged that the “proliferation of sugary snacks, beverages, and processed foods” readily available in schools contributes significantly to this excessive intake.

The new Sugar Board aims to inform students about making informed food choices and to encourage long-term health advantages among students, the notification asserted.

“While I consider this a positive move, much more needs to be accomplished to diminish the consumption of unhealthy food items, including regulations for warning labels and a ban on advertising products high in fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS). Even focusing solely on schools, canteens should be made ‘HFSS-free’,” stated Dr. Arun Gupta, a pediatrician based in New Delhi, in an interview with IANS.

Beyond the risk of diabetes, excessive sugar intake also leads to obesity, dental issues, and other metabolic disorders, ultimately affecting children's long-term health and academic success.

Dr. Harsh Mahajan, Chair of the FICCI Health Services Committee, described the initiative as “timely and much-needed.”

He pointed out that while lifestyle-related disorders are affecting children at increasingly younger ages, many of these conditions remain undiagnosed until much later, when irreversible damage has already been done. Experts also urged parents and schools to consider regular screening tests such as fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, liver function tests, lipid profiles, BMI, and waist circumference to better understand children’s health and implement early changes.