Indore Schools Take Action With ‘Sugar Boards’

Indore (Madhya Pradesh): As India sees a sharp rise in childhood diabetes, schools in Indore are stepping in with a bold new strategy: the introduction of ‘Sugar Boards’ to educate students on the risks of high sugar intake.

The move, mandated by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and guided by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), is aimed at sparking early awareness and promoting healthier lifestyle choices among children.

Over the past decade, the number of children diagnosed with diabetes in India has surged.

To counter this trend, CBSE-affiliated schools across Indore have begun placing ‘Sugar Boards’ in high-visibility areas like canteens and corridors. These boards display clear, easy-to-understand information about recommended daily sugar intake, sugar content in commonly consumed snacks and beverages, and the long-term health risks of excessive sugar consumption. They also promote healthier food alternatives and offer practical tips for better eating habits.

UK Jha

“This is not just a school-level health directive,” said UK Jha, CBSE coordinator for Indore. “It’s about influencing a generation to make smarter choices. We want nutrition to become a regular part of classroom discussions, school assemblies, and even dinner-table conversations at home.”

To ensure a deeper impact, schools are also required to conduct workshops and awareness programmes with medical professionals and nutritionists. They must submit photographic evidence and reports of these activities to CBSE by July 15, 2025.

Harpreet Singh

Parents, too, are welcoming the initiative. Harpreet Singh, a father of two schoolboys, believes the effort will reinforce lessons being taught at home. “Packaged snacks are hard to resist, especially with peer pressure. If schools also send the message, it becomes easier for kids to understand the why behind healthy choices.”

Soumya Upadhyay

Soumya Upadhyay, a businesswoman and mother of two, echoed the sentiment. “Working parents can’t monitor every snack. These boards create awareness that extends beyond the classroom.”

With the Sugar Boards initiative, Indore schools hope to create not just awareness, but lasting change in children’s eating habits—and, in turn, their futures.

“Sugar Crisis in Childhood”

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), around 95,600 children under 14 currently live with Type 1 diabetes, and 15,900 new cases are reported each year. Type 2 diabetes, once associated almost exclusively with adults, is also on the rise among children, largely driven by obesity and poor diet. A 2023 study revealed nearly 1 per cent of Indian children now show signs of Type 2 diabetes—a figure that continues to grow.