CBSE Asks Schools To Establish ‘Sugar Boards’ To Keep Check Of Diabetes Among Children – News18

Last Updated:May 17, 2025, 15:50 IST

CBSE has asked schools to create “sugar boards” to display information educating students about the risks of excessive sugar intake.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has instructed affiliated schools to set up “sugar boards” to monitor and reduce children’s sugar intake, officials reported. The board stated that it has observed a notable rise in Type 2 diabetes among children over the past decade, a condition once predominantly seen in adults.

“This alarming trend is largely attributed to high sugar intake, often due to the easy availability of sugary snacks, beverages and processed foods within school environments. The excessive consumption of sugar not only increases the risk of diabetes but also contributes to obesity, dental problems and other metabolic disorders, ultimately impacting children’s long-term health and academic performance,” CBSE stated in a letter to school principals.

CBSE has asked schools to create “sugar boards” to display information educating students about the risks of excessive sugar intake.

“These boards should provide essential information, including the recommended daily sugar intake, the sugar content in commonly consumed foods (unhealthy meals such as junk food, cold drinks, etc.), health risks associated with high sugar consumption, and healthier dietary alternatives. This will educate students about informed food choices and promote long-term health benefits among students,” CBSE mentioned.

As per studies show that sugar makes up 13 per cent of daily calorie intake for children aged four to 10 years and 15 per cent for those aged 11 to 18 years, significantly exceeding the recommended limit of 5 per cent, the board said.

“The proliferation of sugary snacks, beverages, and processed foods, often readily available in school environments, contributes significantly to this excessive intake,” the board noted.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) is a statutory body formed under Section (3) of the Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005 (No 4 of 2006), to ensure the protection of children’s rights, particularly those most vulnerable and marginalised.

CBSE has instructed that a brief report and a few photographs should be uploaded by the schools before July 15. Schools have also been urged to conduct awareness seminars and workshops on the topic.

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