Daijiworld Media Network- Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Mar 24: Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for healthier eating habits, the Karnataka government has directed officials to reduce cooking oil usage by 10% in midday meals served to schoolchildren.

This decision follows a directive from the union ministry of education, citing growing concerns over obesity and heart diseases among school-aged children.

New oil usage guidelines for midday meals

Under the PM Poshan Scheme, K V Trilok Chandra, commissioner of the department of school education and literacy, has issued revised guidelines to cut down the quantity of sunflower oil used in government and aided schools:

•    Classes 1-5: oil usage reduced to 5 grams per child.

•    Classes 6-10: oil usage reduced to 7.5 grams per child.

Promoting healthy eating among students

To encourage healthy eating habits, the department has urged schools to:

•    Minimise oil usage while preparing fresh and nutritious meals.

•     Train midday meal staff on low-oil cooking techniques with help from nutrition experts.

•     Conduct awareness programmes and quiz competitions on healthy eating, with prizes for students.

•    Promote steaming and boiling instead of deep-frying.

•    Discourage processed and junk foods among schoolchildren.

Research highlights rising childhood obesity in India

The government’s decision was influenced by a study published in The Lancet, which found that:

•    The number of overweight children (ages 5-19) in India increased from 0.4 million in 1990 to 12.5 million in 2022.

•    Excessive oil consumption contributes to lifestyle diseases, making it crucial to regulate oil intake in school meals.

PM Modi’s appeal on "Mann Ki Baat"

In his "Mann Ki Baat" radio programme, PM Modi spoke about the global rise in obesity and suggested:

"Make small efforts—reduce your monthly oil consumption by 10%. If you buy a certain amount every month, purchase 10% less. Even a small change can have a big impact on health."

Encouraging a healthier future

With excessive oil consumption linked to heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure, the Karnataka government’s initiative aims to foster a healthier future for schoolchildren through better dietary habits and lifestyle changes.