Bengaluru schools promote healthy eating, but outside junk food remains a hurdle

Schools in Bengaluru are striving to instil healthy eating habits in children, but principals acknowledge that their influence is limited to the campus. Despite measures such as sugar boards, oil boards, and nutritious meal plans, many students end up consuming junk food outside school, raising concerns about the effectiveness of these initiatives.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has made it mandatory for affiliated schools to display oil and sugar boards to educate students on the risks of excessive consumption. Several international and CBSE schools in the city had adopted these boards even before the directive. The boards visually depict the amount of sugar or oil in common food items, helping children make informed choices.

Latha M., director of Sandeepani Academy for Excellence, said her school has enforced a strict food policy for the past 12 years. "We restrict consumption of maida, sugar, deep-fried food, and factory-processed items like biscuits, sauces, and mayonnaise. Even before the CBSE made it mandatory, oil and sugar boards were a norm here," she explained. The school also asks parents not to pack these items in lunch boxes, suggesting nuts and fresh fruits for short breaks instead.

Ms. Latha noted that parents often ask whether pooris can be packed. "It is definitely a no from us. Similarly, cakes and chocolates are not allowed during birthday celebrations," she said. She expressed support for the State government's recent order banning the sale of junk food within a 50-metre radius of schools. However, she pointed out that schools cannot monitor children once they step out. "There are children whose parents send money to buy snacks from bakeries and food stalls. Once in a while, it is fine, but doing it every day is harmful," she added.

Prathima Patil, principal of Ryan International Academy, highlighted the school's daily fruit break as a successful initiative. "Every morning, each child enjoys a fresh fruit brought from home. Children now remind each other to bring fruits, and parents share photos of their children excitedly picking out fruits the night before," she said. Ms. Patil described the sugar board in the school corridor as a "game changer" because it helps children visually understand the sugar content in processed drinks and foods.

Ms. Patil offered advice to parents: "Children mirror what they see. If you reach for a fruit when hungry, your child will too. When parents reinforce healthy habits at home, we are not just preventing sick days; we are raising a generation of children who make conscious choices for their well-being."

Inventure Academy, an international school in the city, operates its own kitchen. Chefs and nutritionists design a weekly menu that is shared with parents. Ekta Bhasin, who is involved in menu planning, said, "We provide breakfast, mid-morning snack, lunch, and evening snack. All items have balanced amounts of protein, carbohydrates, and vitamins. Sugar and maida are kept to a minimum." She admitted that the school cannot control outside eating habits, but added, "We make sure to implement best practices at our school."

Ms. Bhasin also mentioned that Grade 11 students have developed a mobile app that scans processed food packets and displays nutritional information such as fat, sugar, and carbohydrate content. "It is left to the user to decide whether to eat the product or discard it," she said.

These efforts reflect a multi-pronged approach involving school policies, parental involvement, and student innovation. However, the persistent availability of junk food near schools and the lack of control over children's choices outside campus remain significant hurdles. The state government's ban on junk food within a 50-metre radius is expected to provide some relief, but its enforcement will be key. The challenge, as educators point out, is not limited to Bengaluru; schools across India are dealing with similar issues as they strive to nudge children towards healthier lifestyles.