CBSE’s ‘Sugar Boards’ in Schools Aim to Tackle Childhood Obesity with Awareness, Not Alarm

Last Updated:June 03, 2025, 18:44 IST

CBSE’s Sugar Boards are more than posters, they’re a catalyst for lifelong healthy habits.

In an era where rising childhood obesity and early-onset Type 2 diabetes are ringing alarm bells across the globe, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)’s latest directive is a much-needed intervention. The board’s decision to introduce ‘Sugar Boards’ in schools—eye-catching informational panels displaying the sugar content in everyday snacks and drinks—is both timely and commendable. This initiative aims to create awareness and encourage healthier eating habits among school-going children, a demographic increasingly exposed to processed and sugar-laden foods.

A Shift in the Role of Schools

Aditi Misra, Director, DPS Gurgaon, DPS International Gurgaon, Dharav High School Ajmer Road, and Dharav High School Gurugram, hails the initiative as a transformative moment in education and child health.

“CBSE’s directive to introduce ‘Sugar Boards’ in schools is both timely and commendable, aligning with the broader effort to combat the growing incidence of childhood obesity and Type 2 diabetes,” she notes. “Today, schools are not only centers of academic learning but also key influencers in promoting the overall well-being of children.”

Misra underscores the role of schools as institutions of holistic development. According to her, visible tools like Sugar Boards can be instrumental in encouraging students to become more mindful of their eating habits.

“This initiative offers a valuable opportunity to embed health literacy into everyday learning through workshops, classroom discussions, and comprehensive school-wide wellness programs,” she adds.

Her viewpoint emphasizes how such seemingly small steps can evolve into long-term shifts in behavior when supported institutionally.

From Awareness to Action

Echoing this sentiment is Kanak Agarwal, Clinical Nutritionist at SCOD Clinic, who views the move as a progressive and practical solution to a growing crisis.

“As a clinical nutritionist, I genuinely believe that the introduction of Sugar Boards in schools by CBSE is a fantastic step forward, all thanks to Revant Himatsingka (popularly known as Foodpharmer),” she says. “Given how often children encounter processed foods and sugary drinks, the need for practical, ongoing nutrition education in schools has never been more important.”

Agarwal believes the power of these Sugar Boards lies in their simplicity and visual appeal.

“These boards will highlight easy-to-understand information—like how much sugar kids should really consume, how much lurks in popular snacks and beverages, and the potential long-term effects of too much sugar on their bodies.”

She further emphasizes that these boards can be more than just passive posters—they can become active participants in everyday decision-making.

“When combined with better options in school canteens and interactive activities, this initiative could really help shape lasting habits,” says Agarwal. “It’s essential for schools to view this as more than just a requirement; it should be embraced as a tool for cultivating lifelong awareness.”

Reframing the Narrative

Adding to the chorus of support is Meghana Narayan & Shauravi Malik, Co-founders of Wholsum Foods, who believe the initiative signals a powerful shift in how we approach food education in India, “We welcome CBSE’s move to introduce ‘Sugar Boards’ in schools—not just as a deterrent to excess sugar consumption, but as a long-overdue step towards normalising food education in everyday settings. To move from ultra high processed food to eating packaged food that has diverse wholegrains.”

They highlight how entrenched misconceptions about sugar can lead to long-term unhealthy eating patterns, “For too long, nutrition has either been over-simplified or ignored altogether in how we speak to children. For example, sugar is seen as giving ‘energy’ or as a way to get children to eat their food if they are fussy eaters. This well-intentioned start leads to lifelong junk food habits and diabetes in later life.”

What makes this initiative particularly impactful, according to them, is its positive and inclusive tone, “This initiative by CBSE reframes the conversation—from restriction to awareness, from judgement to informed choice.”

They share how their own brand reflects these values, “At Wholsum Foods, we’ve built Slurrp Farm around this very idea: that better food choices begin with familiarity and trust. Our products use millets, and we use a lot of natural sweeteners like jaggery and date powder. Where possible we use less sugar, and in many cases, we have no added sugar at all.”

“We’re trying to balance tasting amazing and fitting into real family routines. You can’t expect behaviour change without giving people something better to change to. That’s the gap we’ve always tried to fill, and we’re so glad to see it become part of the national conversation.”

Toward a Culture of Conscious Eating

Misra echoes this notion of collective responsibility, “This move marks a crucial shift toward preventative healthcare and underscores the importance of bringing together educators, parents, and policymakers to create a healthier future for the next generation,” she affirms.

Indeed, the Sugar Boards initiative is more than an educational tool—it is a call to action. It urges all stakeholders in a child’s ecosystem to come together in nurturing not just academic excellence, but lifelong well-being.

If implemented mindfully, CBSE’s latest health-forward policy could become a landmark moment in reshaping India’s relationship with food, one classroom at a time.

Swati Chaturvedi

Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl…Read More

Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl… Read More

First Published: