New Delhi: After initiating ‘sugar boards’ earlier this year, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has now directed schools to install ‘oil boards’ aimed at educating students and staff about the harmful effects of consuming high-fat foods and oils. According to officials, the initiative is intended to act as a daily visual reminder within school premises to encourage healthier eating practices.
These 'oil boards' will be in the form of posters or digital displays placed in shared spaces such as cafeterias, lobbies, and meeting rooms. The directive follows a growing concern over rising obesity rates among children and adults in India.
“The data points out that there is a sharp rise in obesity among both adults and children. As per the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5), 2019-21, over one in five adults in urban areas are overweight or obese,” said CBSE Director (Academics) Pragya M Singh.
Citing a 2025 study published in The Lancet Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 obesity forecasting report, Singh noted that the number of overweight and obese adults in India is expected to surge from 18 crore in 2021 to 44.9 crore by 2050, placing the country second globally in terms of obesity burden.
Singh further noted that childhood obesity is largely driven by poor dietary habits and reduced physical activity. To combat this, the CBSE has made several recommendations for schools. These include displaying health messages on all official stationery—such as letterheads, envelopes, notepads, and folders—to reinforce daily awareness, promoting healthy meals, and encouraging physical activity through short exercise breaks, walking routes, and stair use.
Schools have also been advised to improve the availability of nutritious food options, such as fruits, vegetables, and low-fat snacks, while limiting sugary drinks and high-fat items in their cafeterias.
“A few prototypes of such boards are available and schools may like to customize these as per their requirements. School students can also be encouraged to create these boards as part of experiential learning,” Singh said in a letter to schools.
Relevant posters and video content are available on the official YouTube channel of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Singh added.
With PTI inputs