New directive aims to raise nutrition awareness among students by displaying fat content of popular snacks.
In a move to promote healthier eating habits and tackle the rising obesity crisis among schoolchildren, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued a new directive for its affiliated schools.
Soon, every CBSE school cafeteria will have “oil boards” prominently displaying the fat and oil content of popular snacks such as samosas, french fries, and packaged foods.
Why This Initiative?
- Recent reports, including NFHS‑5 and The Lancet, warn of alarming growth in childhood obesity in India.
- Experts project that by 2050, over 60% of the population could be overweight if trends continue.
- Junk food and ultra-processed snacks are easily available in schools, with little awareness about their nutritional impact.
What Are Oil Boards?
- Informative boards in school cafeterias will list common snacks with their approximate fat/oil content.
- Example:
- Samosa → 28g fat per serving
- French Fries → 17g fat per serving
- Burger → 25g fat per serving
- Example:
- This mirrors last year’s “sugar board” initiative, which highlighted the sugar content in colas, candies, and desserts.
What Schools Are Doing
- Some schools have already started nutrition awareness sessions for students.
- Cafeteria menus are being revised to reduce fried and ultra-processed foods.
- Teachers are incorporating healthy eating lessons in environmental and social science classes.
- Some plan to start “healthy wall magazines” to keep the topic visible.
The Bigger Picture
This initiative is part of a larger school health and wellness program by CBSE, which also encourages:
✅ Regular physical activity
✅ BMI checks for students
✅ Parent workshops on nutrition at home
✅ Restricting junk food sales near school premises
“We want students to consciously choose healthier options. Knowing how much oil goes into a single snack makes them think twice,” said a senior CBSE official.
Health experts say awareness is the first step toward change—when students learn what’s really in their food, they may naturally opt for better alternatives.
Key Takeaway
The “oil boards” in schools are a visual nudge toward healthier eating habits, complementing past efforts like sugar boards and junk food bans. If successfully implemented, it could help curb childhood obesity and promote better nutrition literacy among India’s future generation.
