CBSE directs schools to set up ‘Sugar Boards’ to tackle childhood diabetes

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)’s directive for schools to establish a “Sugar Board” marks a proactive step toward tackling the alarming rise in lifestyle-related diseases among schoolchildren, such as diabetes, obesity, and hypertension.

CBSE Sugar Boards Schools initiative is intended to monitor and regulate the consumption of sugar and unhealthy foods within school premises. It also aims to educate students, parents, and school staff about the dangers of excessive sugar intake and promote healthier dietary choices.

CBSE has just made Sugar Board compulsory in every school! India's war against sugar and obesity has officially begun!

From July 15th, every CBSE school must display a Sugar Board revealing the shocking sugar content in soft drinks. Every CBSE Principal has to send the… pic.twitter.com/BndapsyH45

— Revant Himatsingka “Food Pharmer” (@foodpharmer2) May 18, 2025

Health experts, including Dr. Rima Dada, Professor at AIIMS Delhi, have supported this move.

Dr. Rima Dada, Professor and Head of the Media and Anatomy Department at AIIMS Delhi emphasised the urgency of this initiative, pointing out a disturbing trend: children as young as 10 are being diagnosed with high blood pressure and diabetes, largely due to unhealthy diets and excessive sugar consumption, ANI reported.

#WATCH | Delhi: On CBSE directing schools to set up a Sugar Board to curb high diabetes among students, Professor and in-charge of Media and Anatomy Department, AIIMS Delhi, Dr Rima Dada says, "It is very important directive… Children as young as 10 years old are developing… pic.twitter.com/NlrJBddTpV

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2025

She highlighted that the recommended daily calorie intake from sugar should be no more than 5%, but current estimates show it’s reaching as high as 15% among schoolchildren. This alarming spike is attributed to a lack of awareness and education among both parents and students.

Calling the CBSE directive a “welcome step,” Dr. Dada urged for healthy food options in school canteens, stressing that nutrition impacts not only physical health but also mental well-being. The move aims to instill healthier eating habits in children early on, potentially curbing the rising rates of childhood obesity, diabetes, and other lifestyle-related disorders, as per the ANI report..

This initiative could signal a broader shift toward health-conscious education policies, with schools playing a frontline role in promoting balanced nutrition and preventive healthcare.

CBSE Sugar Boards Schools initiative is not just about restricting sugar but fostering a culture of health and awareness in schools. This includes:

Replacing junk food with nutritious alternatives in school canteens

Promoting food literacy and health education

Encouraging physical activity alongside healthy eating

By forming Sugar Boards, schools will have dedicated bodies to oversee these changes and ensure that nutrition becomes a core part of student well-being — both physically and mentally.

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