Nithin Kamath on CBSE telling schools to form sugar boards: 'Good step in the right direction'

Zerodha co-founder and CEO Nithin Kamath also highlighted the need for parental awareness.

Zerodha co-founder and CEO Nithin Kamath supported the Central Board of Secondary Education's (CBSE) move directing schools to establish Sugar Boards to monitor and reduce sugar intake among children. The 45-year-old fitness enthusiast, who has a nine-year-old Kiaan, called it "a step in the right direction".

"CBSE tells schools to establish Sugar Boards to monitor and reduce sugar. This is a step in the right direction. Thanks @foodpharmer2 for sharing," Kamath wrote on X. "Now to figure out how to get parents to care about it. How to reduce sodas, coffee/tea (majority of it is mostly sugar), malted drinks, chocolates (again mostly sugar), sweets, etc."

He thanked food and health influencer Revant Himatsingka aka Foodpharmer for sharing the update on social media. Himatsingka has also been instrumental in creating awareness about the amount of sugar present in food and beverages that are often fed to kids.

Reacting to the development, Himatsingka called it India’s biggest step towards fighting against childhood obesity and diabetes. He said, "1.5 years ago, when I started the Sugar Board Movement, I had no idea it would become a national movement, but I’m so grateful for the government for taking this up!"

Rise in Type 2 diabetes among children

On Saturday, the CBSE stated that it has observed a notable rise in Type 2 diabetes among children over the past decade, a condition once predominantly seen in adults.

“This alarming trend is largely attributed to high sugar intake, often due to the easy availability of sugary snacks, beverages and processed foods within school environments. The excessive consumption of sugar not only increases the risk of diabetes but also contributes to obesity, dental problems and other metabolic disorders, ultimately impacting children’s long-term health and academic performance,” it stated in a letter to school principals.

CBSE has asked schools to create “sugar boards” to display information educating students about the risks of excessive sugar intake.

“These boards should provide essential information, including the recommended daily sugar intake, the sugar content in commonly consumed foods (unhealthy meals such as junk food, cold drinks, etc.), health risks associated with high sugar consumption, and healthier dietary alternatives. This will educate students about informed food choices and promote long-term health benefits among students,” CBSE mentioned.

Sugary snacks available in schools contribute to excessive sugar intake among kids

As per studies show that sugar makes up 13 per cent of daily calorie intake for children aged four to 10 years and 15 per cent for those aged 11 to 18 years, significantly exceeding the recommended limit of 5 percent, the board said.

“The proliferation of sugary snacks, beverages, and processed foods, often readily available in school environments, contributes significantly to this excessive intake,” the board noted.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) is a statutory body formed under Section (3) of the Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005 (No 4 of 2006), to ensure the protection of children’s rights, particularly those most vulnerable and marginalised.

CBSE has instructed that a brief report and a few photographs should be uploaded by the schools before July 15. Schools have also been urged to conduct awareness seminars and workshops on the topic.

(With inputs from PTI)