New Delhi, July 2025: In an effort to promote healthy dietary habits among students, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has directed affiliated schools to prominently display “oil boards” — informational posters highlighting the high oil content in commonly consumed foods. This move aims to combat rising obesity levels among children and adults, and to instill healthy lifestyle habits from a young age.
The directive was issued by Dr. Praggya M. Singh, Director (Academics), CBSE, and follows a similar circular issued in May 2025 regarding “sugar boards” to educate students on the dangers of excessive sugar consumption.
Why This Move Matters
According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) data (2019–21), over one in five adults in urban India is overweight or obese. The Lancet GBD 2021 forecast, cited in the circular, projects a sharp rise in obesity rates — predicting that the number of overweight and obese adults in India will increase from 18 crore in 2021 to 44.9 crore by 2050, making India the country with the second-highest global obesity burden.
Poor diet choices and lack of physical activity are major contributors, especially among children. CBSE’s move is part of a broader national strategy to curb this trend.
What Schools Are Required to Do
The latest CBSE circular encourages school heads to take the following steps:
Install ‘Oil Boards’
-
Display digital or printed posters in shared spaces such as canteens, corridors, lobbies, and classrooms.
-
Highlight the oil content in everyday foods like samosas, fries, burgers, and packaged snacks.
-
Educate students on the health risks of high-oil diets including obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.
Health Messaging on Stationery
-
Add short health slogans or facts on school letterheads, notepads, files, and envelopes to reinforce awareness.
Foster Healthy Habits
-
Serve low-fat, high-fiber foods in school cafeterias.
-
Discourage sugary, salty, and fried snacks.
-
Promote physical activity, such as walking breaks, stair use, and exercise-friendly environments.
Sugar Board Campaign: A Precursor
The initiative builds on CBSE’s earlier May 2025 circular, which introduced “sugar boards” to educate students on the hidden sugar content in popular food items like cold drinks, pastries, and candies. These boards shared daily sugar intake limits and alternatives like fruits and low-sugar options.
Schools were also encouraged to host seminars, workshops, and awareness drives on nutrition and healthy eating.
Beyond Schools: A Nationwide Push
The initiative extends beyond the school environment. The Union Health Ministry recently recommended that both central government offices and public institutions display similar oil and sugar awareness boards. Popular high-oil and high-sugar items like pizza, vada pav, burgers, and kachoris will be the focus of these awareness campaigns.
CBSE’s Message: Awareness Leads to Action
Through such initiatives, CBSE and allied government bodies aim to build long-term behavioural changes and promote informed food choices among the youth — a crucial step toward reducing India’s obesity burden and improving national health outcomes.
