UN Agency stresses Health Education in Schools as follow up
New Delhi: UNESCO, UN agency for fostering global education, received PM Modi’s call on obesity in quite earnest. Unesco Chair on global health has backed this call and called for stress on health education in schools as follow up.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day address this year, in which he described obesity as a “silent crisis” confronting the nation, has sparked a wider discussion on lifestyle-related diseases in India. Echoing the Prime Minister’s concern, Dr Rahul Mehra, India’s National Representative for the UNESCO Chair on Global Health and Education, has highlighted the urgent need to institutionalise health education in schools as a long-term solution to the growing epidemic.
“Obesity is no longer confined to adults or urban populations, it is increasingly affecting children, and that should deeply concern us. Unless we act early, today’s childhood obesity will translate into tomorrow’s chronic illnesses and lost productivity. The classroom is where we must begin, making health education as fundamental as mathematics, science, or languages,” said Dr Mehra.
According to the National Family Health Survey (2019–21), nearly a quarter of Indian women men are overweight or obese. There is also a rising tide of childhood obesity with about 5% of school going children being obese. This is one of the most important drivers behind heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. For India, this represents not just a public health challenge but a barrier to achieving the vision of a productive and prosperous Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Dr Mehra noted that UNESCO’s global approach to health strongly advocates for disease prevention rooted in awareness and education. He highlighted that behavioural change cannot be achieved through government programmes alone; it requires cultural shifts driven by families, schools, and communities. “Schools must serve as the first line of defence. Beyond structured health education, physical activity and parental involvement are essential to reversing the obesity trend,” he said.
While commending existing government initiatives such as the Fit India Movement, Eat Right India, and POSHAN Abhiyaan, Dr Mehra stressed that these efforts must be woven into a more comprehensive framework that includes curriculum reforms, grassroots awareness campaigns, and stronger public-private collaboration.
“The Prime Minister’s call to reduce cooking oil consumption by 10% is a practical first step. But this must be embedded in a wider movement, one that integrates sustainable food systems, emphasizes eating more vegetables and fruits, discourages junk foods and creates environments where healthier choices are the easier choices. Just as Swachh Bharat demonstrated how a public movement can change national behaviour, combating obesity demands a similar whole-of-society effort,” Dr Mehra added.
As India moves through Amrit Kaal, the UNESCO Chair on Global Health and Education highlights that reversing obesity trends must be treated as a national priority. With decisive policy, sustained public awareness, and integration of health education into the country’s foundational learning systems, India has the opportunity to safeguard its demographic dividend and set a global example in preventive health.
