The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education has instructed all affiliated schools to set up a ‘sugar board’ on their campuses. This move aligns with a campaign launched by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), which had previously urged states to carry out awareness initiatives in schools to curb excessive sugar consumption among students.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has already started rolling out the campaign in its schools nationwide. Now, Maharashtra’s state board institutions are following the footsteps. According to the NCPCR’s circular, the growing incidence of Type 2 diabetes in children, a condition more common in older adults, is closely linked to rising sugar intake. Easy availability of sugary drinks, sweets, and processed foods around school areas has been identified as a major contributor.
Data included in the circular shows that children aged 4 to 10 get about 13% of their daily calorie intake from sugar, while those aged 11 to 18 consume up to 15%, higher than the advised limit of 5%.
To tackle this issue, the commission has recommended installing ‘sugar boards’ in schools. These boards will provide visual information to raise awareness among students about the risks of high sugar consumption and encourage healthier eating habits. They will display details such as the recommended daily sugar intake and the sugar content in popular snacks and beverages, along with guidance on healthier alternatives and the consequences of overconsumption.
Mahendra Ganpule, a representative of the State Principals’ Association, expressed support for the initiative. He stated, “The government’s Sugar Board initiative is a welcome step, as it can help in early detection and prevention of diabetes-related conditions.”
