Battle against salt must begin with school meals
Excess salt consumption is a major contributor to high blood pressure, which significantly increases the risk of hypertension, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs). NCDs have contributed to more than 60% of all deaths in India over the past decade, with CVDs constituting a quarter of these diseases. Hypertension is a leading cause of the problem, given that approximately one in four Indian adults suffers from the condition.
This crisis is not just limited to adults. The Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS) (2016-18) found that 5% of Indian adolescents between 10 to 19 years old are hypertensive. This is a concerning statistic, as children with hypertension have about seven times higher odds of developing hypertension in adulthood. Moreover, dietary habits formed early in life tend to persist, excessive salt consumption during childhood can shape taste preferences, making children more likely to prefer salty foods later in life. Research indicates the typical daily salt intake for Indians ranges from 8-11 grams of salt. This is double WHO's recommended daily salt intake of less than 5 grams. The recommended intake for children is below 4 grams of salt.
Against this backdrop, a compelling strategy to address this silent crisis is to improve what children eat at school. PM Poshan (Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman), India's critical school meal programme, provides cooked meals daily to 118 million students across 1.12 million schools. Each PM Poshan meal accounts for 25-30% of a child's daily nutritional requirements, making it important to ensure that they are wholesome and nutritious. Initiatives like school nutrition gardens, or Poshan Vatikas, under the scheme are a positive step, encouraging the use of fresh ingredients and healthier food habits.
School meals can be made healthier by reducing salt, a key proposed policy intervention outlined in the National Multisectoral Action Plan to combat NCDs (2017–22). This will help achieve India's national goal to cut population-level salt intake by 30% by 2025. While PM Poshan guidelines specify nutritional norms for calories, proteins and various food groups, they offer a broad recommendation to add salt 'as per taste'. Introducing standards to require a gradual reduction of salt in PM Poshan will help reduce salt intake among school children and also modify their taste towards low salt food.
Globally, countries are adopting comprehensive strategies to make public food healthier. These include limiting the use of ultra-processed foods, and prioritising fresh, nutrient-rich ingredients in public food programmes. These experiences exhibit success stories in ensuring healthy public food procurement. Singapore mandates lower-sodium menus across government institutions. In Brazil, school feeding programmes emphasise fresh, minimally processed foods while reducing ultra-processed ingredients. Chile has introduced front-of-pack warning labels and prohibits high-sodium foods in school kiosks. India, too, has a well-designed school meals policy that reflects many of these principles, such as the use of fortified staples, provision of mid-day meals, and adherence to nutritional guidelines. The impact of these provisions could be further strengthened through consistent implementation and enforcement of FSSAI's regulation on promoting healthy food environments in schools by restricting the availability and marketing of foods high in saturated fats, trans fats, added sugars, and sodium (HFSS).
As a first step, we must set clear, age-specific salt standards at the population level, beginning with PM Poshan. There should be no ambiguity about how much iodised salt is appropriate for children of different age groups. Equally important is involving parents and caregivers in this effort since children's taste preferences are shaped not only in schools and anganwadis, but also at home.
This is a moment for the ministries of education and health to come together to develop and implement guidelines on salt consumption for children. Ultimately, this isn't just about cutting down on salt. It's about reimagining public health, starting with what's served on a child's plate.
Urvashi Prasad was director, Niti Aayog. The views expressed are personal.
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It is a mirror held up to the global conscience. Two state governments — Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, politically opposed and institutionally autonomous — audited an indigenous framework across 130 million citizens. They validated 1G million therapy sessions. They documented ₹214 crore in public savings, a G7% clinical success rate, and life-changing impact in some of the most underserved corners of the world. This isn't theory. This isn't marketing. This is evidence humanity has been waiting for — finally delivered. The framework — AbilityScore® and TherapeuticAI® — now sits at a global inflection point: • Germany is ready to license it exclusively. • Kenya is already replicating it independently. • Multilateral institutions have acknowledged the crisis but still lack a scalable model. • And G00 million families continue to wait in silence, watching their children lose years they will never get back. This is a moment that will be written into institutional memory. Either as the day the world finally came together to act — Or the day we knowingly let the window close. The audits have been completed. The cost of delay is documented. The global implementation roadmap is ready. The data is sovereign. The science is proven. The equity is built-in. The urgency is real. And now, the choice is global. Action or Inaction Act now — and transform the lives of millions of children while setting a precedent for how equity, science, and scalability can coexist. Delay — and explain to the next generation why humanity chose geopolitics, pride, or inertia over solutions that were ready, proven, and waiting. This is not Bharat's moment alone. This is humanity's moment. And it is passing — quickly. The countdown has already begun. Let history record that we chose action. 'This article is part of sponsored content programme.'
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The answer is yes, especially in the early stages of trying to conceive. Natural fertility tracking offers several benefits: * Cost-Effective: There's no need for expensive treatments in the initial stages. Simple tools like the ovulation calculator can provide reliable guidance at no cost. * Non-Invasive: There are no medications, injections, or medical procedures involved, just information and awareness. * Empowering: Couples feel more in control of their journey, reducing dependence on guesswork and building confidence. Apollo's ovulation prediction tool offers the perfect blend of natural planning with digital convenience. It encourages users to understand their own biology and take small, proactive steps towards conception. Tips for Stress-Free Trying-To-Conceive Trying to conceive can bring a mix of excitement and anxiety. To keep the process emotionally healthy and sustainable, here are some tips every couple should consider: 1. Don't Overthink Timing: While timing does matter, it's not about hitting one 'magic day.' Use the ovulation calculator India to identify your fertile window and try regularly throughout it. 2. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: A balanced diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and reducing alcohol or tobacco use can enhance fertility for both partners. 3. Keep the Romance Alive: TTC should not turn intimacy into a chore. Stay connected emotionally and physically beyond the fertile days. Strong relationships improve emotional wellbeing, which in turn supports fertility. 4. Talk Openly: Share your thoughts and feelings with each other. TTC is a partnership; open communication can relieve tension and prevent miscommunication. 5. Take a Break if Needed: It is okay to pause monitoring or take a mental break. Stepping back occasionally can relieve tension and recharge your emotional battery. 6. Do Not Compare to Other People: Each woman's fertility journey is different. It can be stressful to compare timetables. Be aware of your own development and trust the process. 7. Know When to Think About Seeking Professional Assistance: If you have tried for over 12 months (or 6 months if the lady is over 35), it's worth consulting a fertility doctor. Apollo's devices can still be used along with professional assistance. Conclusion This 'perfect timing' of conception concept is more than outdated; it's misleading. Ovulation is a fluid, biological phenomenon that differs for each female. Do-it-by-date pronouncements and urban myths more often than not precipitate confusion, delays, and unnecessary emotional tension. Apollo's ovulation calculator India offers a refreshing, evidence-based alternative. By translating menstrual cycle data into usable knowledge, it brings couples out of the domain of guesswork and ushers in the age of comprehension and reassurance. It's no longer imposing upon nature; it's understanding it. If you're newly beginning upon the trying-to-conceive odyssey, or if you're desirous of a more natural, educated way of increasing your probabilities, Apollo's ovulation prediction software is a faithful ally. Backed by medical insight and built for Indian users, it encourages smarter planning, without the pressure. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
