Government departments should put up boards explaining the amount of oil and sugar in food items !

Union Health Ministry’s instructions for creating awareness about healthy lifestyle

New Delhi – The Union Health Ministry has appealed to all ministries, departments and autonomous bodies toinstall ‘oil and sugar boards’ in offices indicating the amount of oil and sugar in the food consumed daily. This will promote a healthy lifestyle and protect against obesity or other diseases.

#HealthForAll

Advisory issued by Union Health Ministry to display Oil and Sugar Boards in workplaces is an initiative to promote healthier dietary habits

These Boards serve as behavioural nudges regarding hidden fats and excess sugar in various food products

The Advisory does… pic.twitter.com/UleZY8eGVj

— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) July 15, 2025

1. The ministry has called for printing health messages on all official stationeries  (letterheads, envelopes, notepads, folders) to create awareness about obesity.

2. Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava said that obesity among adults and children is increasing rapidly in India. According to the National Family Health Survey, one in five adults in urban areas suffers from obesity.

#StopObesity | शारीरिक गतिविधियों की कमी न केवल मोटापा बढ़ाती है, बल्कि यह गंभीर स्वास्थ्य समस्याओं का कारण भी बन सकती है।

इसलिए, स्वस्थ जीवनशैली अपनाएं और नियमित व्यायाम को अपनी दिनचर्या का हिस्सा बनाकर बेहतर स्वास्थ्य की ओर कदम बढ़ाएं।#HealthForAll #Obesity #FitIndia pic.twitter.com/QBkdkOcgFS

— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) July 15, 2025

3. According to ‘The Lancet GBD 2021 Obesity Forecast Study’ published in 2025,  18 crore adults in India were obese in 2021, which will reach 44 crores 90 lakhs by 2050. This will make India the second largest country in the world in the number of obese people.

4. Obesity increases the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and some types of cancer. It also affects mental health, body movement, lifestyle and productivity.

5. In the public areas of the offices of all ministries (e.g. Canteens, lobbies, meeting rooms) should put up digital signboards pointing out the use of oil and sugar,Srivastava said.

6. The Union government has underlined that medical treatment alone is not enough to fight obesity and lifestyle-related diseases, but there is a need to improve awareness and habits.