• Source:JND
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In a bid to address the growing issue of childhood obesity, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has directed affiliated schools to install ‘oil boards’ on their campuses. These boards, both digital and static, will display the oil, fat, and calorie content in common oily foods consumed by students, such as samosas, kachoris, vada pav, and chips.

As per the circular, the boards must be prominently placed in school cafeterias, canteens, lobbies, meeting rooms, and other public areas. Their purpose is to raise awareness among students about the health risks associated with consuming high-fat foods and to promote a healthy lifestyle on school premises.

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Key Details of the CBSE Guidelines:

-Schools must display charts listing the oil, fat, and calorie content in commonly consumed fried foods.

For example:

-Samosa – 362 calories, 28g fat, 25g oil

-Kachori – 166 calories, 10g fat, 40g oil

-Vada Pav – 263 calories, 9.5g fat, 70g oil

-Pakoras – 351 calories, 26g fat, 130g oil

-Burger – 590 calories, 20.5g fat, 247g oil

-Schools must also encourage physical activity, such as walking, stair usage, and short exercise breaks.

This is not the first time CBSE has taken such a step. The board had earlier introduced ‘sugar boards’ to make students aware of excessive sugar intake and its link to diabetes.

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According to CBSE, over one in five urban adults in India is either overweight or obese. Alarmingly, the number of obese and overweight adults in India is projected to rise from 180 million in 2021 to 449 million by 2050, making India the second most obesity-burdened country in the world.

Poor dietary habits and lack of physical activity are being cited as the primary causes of the increasing obesity among children. CBSE’s latest initiative is aimed at creating awareness from a young age and instilling healthier choices in students' daily lives.