Jaipur: Health department has issued directions to install “sugar and oil boards” in all govt offices, schools, and public places, including hospitals and bus stands, to discourage sugary drinks and high-fat snacks that lead to obesity and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs).These will be wooden or PVC-framed boards displaying the sugar and fat content in popular snacks and drinks. “One 100 gm samosa gives 362 Kcal and 28 gm of fat. Limit daily fat intake to 27–30 grams,” will be the message displayed to discourage high-fat snacks. Another board will read, “Six slices of pizza of 471 gm give 1377 Kcal and 40 g of fat. Limit daily fat intake to 27–30 grams.”Dr Ravi Prakash Sharma, director (public health), said obesity significantly raises the risk of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and certain cancers. It also affects mental health, mobility, and quality of life, and imposes a heavy economic burden through increased healthcare costs and productivity losses.“Display of sugar and oil boards is an initiative to promote healthier dietary habits as visual behavioural nudges in schools, public institutions, cafeterias, lobbies, meeting rooms, and in all health institutions,” said Dr Sharma.Health messages will also be printed on all official stationery, including letterheads, envelopes, notepads, folders, and publications, to reinforce daily reminders on fighting obesity. Health department will promote active workplace initiatives such as encouraging the use of stairs, organising short exercise breaks, and facilitating walking routes.OBILoss clinics will be established at all medical colleges attached to hospitals and at all 61 district hospitals. Individuals identified as overweight or obese will receive counselling on lifestyle modification, healthy diets, and physical activities. They will also be referred to yoga sessions and wellness activities at Ayushman Arogya Mandir. Necessary nutrition counselling and health education will be arranged for sustained weight management and follow-up care.All joint directors (zones), all principals and controllers of medical colleges, superintendents of hospitals attached to medical colleges, chief medical health officers, and principal medical officers have been asked to implement this.
