Every day, countless Indian school children reach for sugary snacks, unaware of the long-term health consequences hidden in their daily choices. The Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) recent initiative called Sugar Boards, introduced in May 2025, is a commendable first step toward raising awareness. These boards, now displayed in over 24,000 schools, highlight the harms of excessive sugar consumption and encourage healthier options like fruits and water. But awareness alone is not enough.
If we are serious about addressing the alarming rise in diabetes, obesity, and mental health issues among India’s youth, we must go further. We need mandatory, curriculum-integrated health education in schools — delivered by trained teachers and supported by national policies that limit the influence of junk food. Only then can we equip our children to make informed, lasting choices for their well-being.
A Growing Crisis
The urgency is clear. A 2023 study by the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) found that 15.35 per cent of Indian schoolchildren are pre-diabetic, and nearly one per cent has Type 2 diabetes, a condition once rare in children. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 13 per cent of adolescents are obese and 18 per cent are overweight, putting them at risk for complications like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and early-onset dental problems. Mental health trends are equally troubling. A 2022 NCERT survey revealed that 23 per cent of students experience anxiety or stress, often driven by academic pressure. These health challenges are compounded by sedentary lifestyles, excessive use of screen time and widespread access to ultra-processed foods.
In my work at Tarang Health Alliance, I’ve seen how these factors take a toll on young lives. Sugar Boards, supported by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), provide valuable information. But information alone does not lead to behaviour change. For that, we need continuous and contextual health education.
Countries like Finland have mandated health education since the 1970s, covering nutrition and mental well-being, and have seen significantly lower obesity rates. Australia integrates health education throughout its K-12 system, while in India, Kerala’s curriculum includes both physical and health education, contributing to improved youth health outcomes. These examples show what is possible. Since 2016, Tarang Health Alliance has reached over 15,000 students across Haryana, Delhi-NCR, Chandigarh, and Jaipur. We teach students health-related skills and motivate them to improve their health behaviour through an interactive program. Our trained educators help children make better food choices, manage stress, and say no to tobacco. But such efforts should not remain limited or optional. Every child, regardless of background, deserves access to health education. The long-term benefits are clear: healthier communities, lower healthcare costs, and a generation better equipped to face life’s challenges.
The Need for Policy Reform
Current policies fall short. While Sugar Boards are visible reminders, they do not address the flood of sugary snacks in school canteens or the aggressive marketing of junk food to children. The FSSAI’s delay in developing India-specific regulations for high-fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS) foods leaves schools relying on WHO standards that do not fully align with Indian food habits. Cities like Chandigarh and Kolkata have banned junk food in schools, but a national policy is long overdue. India should also follow the lead of countries like the UK, which have placed strong restrictions on food advertising aimed at children. Parents must be part of this transformation. Awareness campaigns and school-based workshops can help them reinforce healthy habits at home — especially crucial in low-income families, where processed foods often seem like the only affordable option. A Simple Formula for Healthy Living. At Tarang, we are also promoting the “5-4-3-2-1-0: Countdown to a Healthy Life” campaign, a memorable “mantra” to help children take charge of their health:
5) five servings of vegetables or fruits
4) At least four hand washes every day with soap & water: after using the toilet and before each meal
3) Three portions of protein-rich food every day
2) No more than two hours of recreational screen time every day
1) One hour of physical activity every day
0) Zero consumption of tobacco, sugary drinks, or packaged salty snacks
Health education doesn’t just benefit students — it empowers them to influence their families and communities. But to scale this impact, we need commitment at every level: from policymakers, educators, and parents alike.
The CBSE’s Sugar Boards signal an important intent, but intent must translate into action. Let’s move beyond displays on school walls and build a national framework that makes health education a core part of every child’s learning journey. With trained teachers, informed parents, and robust policies, we can ensure India’s children grow up healthier, stronger, and more resilient. The time to act is now.
(The writer is the founder of Tarang Health Alliance and India’s national representative for the UNESCO Chair on Global Health & Education. Views are personal)