‘Junk' food burning out kids, NCR teachers will add healthy recipes to classwork

Time of India

18-05-2025

Noida: A toddler pacified with candy during a meltdown, a bar of chocolate tucked into a teenager's lunchbox, or a bottle of Coke passed around among friends. These familiar everyday scenes, reflecting how deeply sugar is woven into the routines of our children, are part of a worrying trend that has prompted the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to direct all its affiliated schools to establish 'sugar boards' to educate students about the dangers of excessive sugar consumption.
The circular, issued Friday, highlighted that sugar constitutes 13% of the daily calorie intake of children aged 4 to 10 years and 15% for those aged 11 to 18 years, far exceeding the 5% recommended limit.
Teachers, parents and principals TOI spoke to agreed there was a need to check consumption of junk food to combat obesity and diabetes at an institutional level. Some schools said each year they are seeing a rise in the number of kids diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
"Out of 1,800 students in the schools, at least 6 to 7 children are known to have been diagnosed with diabetes. Many more are obese. Children unwilling to go out and play or exercise, in the habit of eating junk foods and a sedentary lifestyle are the main culprits," Bal Bharti School principal Asha Prabhakar said. The school has recently started sharing weekly recipes on healthy diets, innovative and health-beneficial lunch ideas for kids with parents through communication groups.
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Some teachers shared that children easily tire out, some even collapse, after a mild exercise. "So many students are on low energy and unwilling to take part in any form of physical activities. Healthy food and exercise are very crucial for developmental years," Prabhakar added.
A few schools are willing to notch it up with action plans to curb the consumption of junk food like chips and sugary carbonated drinks among children.
At Apeejay School, efforts are on to put up display boards on sugar control, obesity and diabetes. "We are also going to issue a circular to parents to inform them of what their kids should consume. There is an urgent need to promote homemade foods and control junk food, chips, as well as fizzy or aerated drinks, especially during summer," said principal Neha Sharma.
Grads International School principal Aditi Basu Roy agreed that more students were willing to sit out during sports or outdoor activity classes at the school.
"It is worrying. Taking high-calorie foods and not burning them through physical activities can cause obesity. It poses a potent threat to developing Type 2 diabetes," she said.
At DAV Public School, Gurgaon, principal Aparna Erry said they will set up a 'sugar board' on Monday as per CBSE directive.
According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), 6.4% of women and 4.0% of men in the 15-49 years age group were found to be obese in 2019-2021.
The survey suggested there was an increase in the number of children under 5 years who are overweight (weight-for-height) from 2.1% in NFHS-4 (2015-16) to 3.4% in NFHS-5 (2019-21) across India.
"There has been a noticeable rise in diabetes among children in recent years, particularly in cases of Type 2 diabetes, which was once considered rare in young people. Consuming too much sugar, especially in the form of sugary drinks, candies, and processed foods, can lead to weight gain in children.
When the body receives more sugar than it needs for energy, the excess is stored as fat. Over time, this can contribute to obesity.
High sugar intake can affect the body's ability to regulate insulin, increasing the risk of insulin resistance and other metabolic disorders such as Type 2 diabetes and fatty liver," said Dr Aishwarya Krishnamurthy, a senior consultant at endocrinology department in Max Hospital, Vaishali.
Early signs of
Type 2 diabetes in children
can be subtle. Common symptoms include increased thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and blurred vision. "Some children may also develop dark patches of skin, usually around the neck or armpits. Parents and teachers should also watch for changes in behaviour or school performance, which may signal that a child is feeling unwell. Prompt medical attention can help manage the condition early," said Krishnamurthy.
"Instead of junk food, one can opt for healthier alternatives like fresh fruits, boiled or roasted snacks, homemade sandwiches, whole grains, sprouts, yoghurt, and smoothies without added sugarHome-cooked meals with less oil and a variety of vegetables help ensure balanced nutrition," A healthy diet supports better growth, energy levels, and immunity in children," Dr Karuna Chaturvedi, a clinical nutritionist, said.
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With inputs from Anjali Singh, Gurgaon