VISUAL NUDGES FOR HEALTHIER FUTURES: A POLICY ANALYSIS OF INDIA’S ‘SUGAR AND OIL LIMIT BOARDS’ IN SCHOOLS
Authors: Dr Sakshi Sharma*, Vaishnavi Gawande, Akshay Misra
Publication Date: 2026/06/17
DOI: 10.59551/DOI: 10.59551/IJHMP/25832069/2026.7.1.134
Abstract
<p>India faces an alarming and escalating burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with unhealthy dietary practices particularly excessive intake of sugar, salt, and oil as a primary driver. This crisis is increasingly prevalent among school aged children exposed to obesogenic environments. In response, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), in collaboration with key national health and education ministries, mandated the installation of “Sugar and Oil Boards” in all affiliated schools in 2025. This initiative uses low-cost, visual nudges to promote mindful consumption based on scientific guidelines from the Indian Council of Medical Research–National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR–NIN). This narrative review applies the Walt and Gilson Policy Triangle Framework to analyse the evolution of India’s school-based dietary policies between 2011 and 2025. It examines the policy’s context, content, process, and the actors involved. The review identifies critical implementation gaps, including disparities in adoption and insufficient teacher training, and proposes recommendations for strengthening the initiative through curriculum integration, robust monitoring, and stakeholder engagement to ensure its sustainability and impact on national health.</p>
<p>KEYWORDS: Non-communicable Diseases, School Health Policy, Dietary Behaviour, Behavioural Nudges, Sugar and Oil Consumption, Nutrition Policy, Childhood Obesity, India.</p>
References
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