From Sugar to Oil: CBSE’s Visual Health Campaign Expands
- Aug 26, 2025
The CBSE has compounded its attempts to develop healthier school ecospaces by launching ‘Oil Boards’ throughout its affiliated schools. This movement follows its May month’s directive on ‘Sugar Boards’ and proposes to increase awareness of harmful dietary fats when tackling the arising issue of obesity among students. CBSE addressed schools to show oil boards in common areas like hallways, staff rooms, and cafeterias in a circular dated July 15.
These printed or digital displays will prompt staff and students to limit their unhealthy oil intake, particularly those used in processed and fried foods. The board recommended that schools carry health messages as well on official stationery and perform physical activity during the school day, and promote nutritious meals actively.
CBSE cited the National Family Health Survey highlighting obesity concerns, which reported that 20% of adults in urban India are obese or highlighting obesity concerns. The Lancet’s Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study promoted that India’s overweight and obese adult population could increase from 18 Cr in 2021 to nearly 45 Cr by 2050, putting the country among the worst affected world.
CBSE pushed that sedentary lifestyles and poor diets remain the major causes of childhood obesity. It advocated that schools offer healthier food choices like vegetables, low-fat alternatives, and fruits when cutting down on high-fat snacks and sugary drinks to cover. It recommended simple yet efficient practices as well, like scheduling short exercise sessions, designating walking areas, and promoting stair use to improve students’ daily physical activity.
Based on the CBSE’s earlier May 14 directives, which launched Sugar Boards to restrict children’s sugar intake. That initiative warned of increasing Type 2 diabetes cases among children, an adult disease, traditionally connected with the simple access to sugary foods in schools. It revealed that children aged 4 to 18 intakes 3 times the recommended daily sugar limit as well, putting them at long-term health risks, including metabolic and obesity disorders.