CBSE's school initiative on sugar promising, but needs holistic backup

These boards are primarily meant to act as educational tools. Schools are expected to create information and creative displays that highlight the recommended daily sugar intake for children

The Central Board of Secondary Education’s  (CBSE’s) directive earlier this month to all affiliated schools to establish dedicated sugar boards by July 15 is a creative way to instil lessons about the dangers of sugar-loaded diets and the virtues of healthy eating. Health problems among children related to increasingly carbohydrate- and sugar-heavy diet are verging on a national crisis. A 2024 study showed the prevalence of pre-diabetes, or Type 2 diabetes, was 12.3 per cent and 8.4 per cent in adolescent Indian girls and boys, respectively. South Asia in general, and India in particular, are emerging as the world’s diabetes