Abstract

The Indian education system is the largest in the world offering education to around 250 million children from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. School-based food and nutrition education is an important element of the school food environment as it has the potential to impact the eating habits of young people. In general, most Indian schools place strong emphasis on learning of Mathematics and Physical Sciences, with minimum allowance for food and nutrition education. Furthermore, the Indian curriculum framework does not reinforce learning of practical life skills. Classroom-based theoretical learning alone is not sufficient to impact the nutritional profile of students because they also require access to healthy foods in schools. Canteens in private schools are often criticised for inculcating unhealthy eating habits among students through the sale of junk foods which is contrary to the healthy eating messages delivered in classrooms, underscoring the need for effective school food policies for private schools. On the other hand, to a large extent, Indian public schools, through the free school lunch program, have been successful in enhancing school enrolments, reducing dropout rates, and improving nutritional status of young people. Overall, the Indian school food environment faces a number of challenges while catering to the health and nutritional needs of the student population. Much of this chapter is based on doctoral research work carried out by Neha Rathi at Deakin University, Australia.

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