RAISING HEALTHY HEARTS: REIMAGINING SCHOOL NUTRITION TO TACKLE CHILDHOOD HYPERTENSION

Structured food education, trained school cooks, and thoughtful, balanced menus can transform lunch into a launchpad for lifelong health

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It is easy to think of high blood pressure as something that happens later in life. A problem for middle-aged adults, not children still in school. But in India, that assumption is starting to look dangerously outdated. More and more children are being diagnosed with elevated blood pressure, and many of them do not even know it. It is not until adolescence or adulthood that the signs become too loud to ignore.

The numbers tell a worrying story. The Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS) from 2016-18 found that 7.3% of Indian adolescents had hypertensive blood pressure levels. That number climbs to 9.1% in urban areas. Then there is the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5), which shows that 12% of teens aged 15-19 already have elevated blood pressure. These are not isolated cases. This is a trend. And it points to one very clear takeaway: if we want to tackle hypertension, we have to start early. Really early.

There are a few things feeding into this trend - rising childhood obesity, less physical activity, and a lifestyle that has shifted indoors and online. But if we had to name the biggest culprit, it would probably be the food our kids are eating.

Hypertension: a ticking time bomb in Indian adolescents

The processed food problem

Walk into any grocery store or school canteen, and the reality hits you. Bright, attractive, crinkling packets of chips. Instant noodles. Processed snacks that promise flavour and convenience in seconds. For kids, these foods are both tempting and present everywhere. And they are taking a toll. On average, Indian adolescents are consuming more than 8 grams of salt a day. That is almost double the World Health Organization’s recommended limit for adults. Most of it comes from packaged snacks, fast foods, and street-side treats that are heavy on salt and low on nutrition.