How schools can tackle adolescent malnutrition

Source: The post “How schools can tackle adolescent malnutrition” has been created based on “How schools can tackle adolescent malnutrition”, published in “The Hindu” on 29th June 2026.

UPSC Syllabus: GS 2- Polity & Governance

Context: Adolescent malnutrition has emerged as a major public health challenge in India. According to the NFHS-6 (2023–24), obesity and high blood sugar levels are rising rapidly among both men and women. At the same time, undernutrition continues to persist. Since unhealthy dietary habits and lifestyle-related diseases often begin during adolescence, schools are the most important institutions for preventive interventions.

Reasons behind  adolescent malnutrition being a serious concern

1. India is experiencing a double burden of malnutrition, where persistent undernutrition coexists with rising obesity and metabolic disorders.
2. According to NFHS-6 (2023–24), obesity among women increased from 24% to 30.7%, while obesity among men increased from 22.9% to 27.3%.
3. The prevalence of high blood sugar also increased from 15.6% to 20.9% among men and from 13.5% to 17.8% among women.
4. Lifestyle changes such as sedentary behaviour, consumption of processed foods, stress, and reduced physical activity are no longer confined to urban areas and are increasingly affecting rural populations.
5. According to the Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS), 2019, 27.4% of Indian adolescents are stunted, while obesity is increasing, especially among urban youth.
6. India is also witnessing the “thin-fat phenotype,” in which children appear lean but possess a high metabolic risk that increases their chances of developing diabetes and cardiovascular diseases later in life.

Ways in which schools can tackle adolescent malnutrition

1. Promoting healthy dietary habits

1. Schools should improve the nutritional quality of Mid-Day Meals and ensure that balanced meals are provided to students.
2. Schools should establish healthier canteens and organise food demonstrations to teach students how to prepare balanced meals.
3. Schools should encourage students to follow the Dietary Guidelines for Indians 2024, which recommend that half of the plate should consist of fruits and vegetables.
4. Schools should promote the regular consumption of milk, dairy products green leafy vegetables, fruits, and protein-rich foods.

2. Creating healthy food environments

1. Schools should develop school gardens, organise fruit breaks, and encourage the use of locally available seasonal foods to normalise healthy eating habits.
2. Schools should reduce students’ dependence on cereal-heavy diets by promoting diversified and nutritious food choices.

3. Reducing sugar and Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs)

1. Schools should discourage the consumption of sugary beverages, High Fat, Sugar and Salt (HFSS) foods, and Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs).
2. Schools should display sugar boards that reveal the hidden sugar content of commonly consumed foods and beverages.
3. Schools should establish UPF-free school zones and conduct continuous awareness programmes instead of one-time campaigns.

4. Encouraging physical activity

1. Schools should make sports and structured physical activity an essential part of the curriculum rather than treating them as optional activities.
2. Schools should reduce sedentary and screen-based lifestyles by ensuring regular physical exercise for all students.

5. Improving nutrition literacy

1. Schools should teach students how to read food labels, understand portion sizes, identify misleading food advertisements, and develop basic cooking skills.
2. Nutrition education should focus on developing lifelong healthy eating habits through practical learning.

Policy measures required

1. The Let’s Fix Our Food (LFOF) initiative should be strengthened to promote healthier school food environments.
2. The government should regulate the advertising of HFSS foods targeted at children and adolescents.
3. Taxes should be imposed on unhealthy sugary beverages to discourage excessive consumption.
4. A comprehensive school nutrition curriculum should be introduced across educational institutions.
5. Nutrition literacy programmes should be strengthened through evidence-based public health policies and multi-stakeholder collaboration.

Conclusion: Schools should not function merely as centres of education but should also become public health-promoting institutions. By improving nutrition, encouraging physical activity, strengthening nutrition literacy, and creating healthier food environments, schools can significantly reduce adolescent malnutrition and prevent the future burden of non-communicable diseases in India.

Question: India is facing a double burden of malnutrition among adolescents. Discuss how schools can play a transformative role in addressing this challenge.

Source: The Hindu