Chandigarh Teens Make Dramatic Dietary Changes in School Study
A recent study from Chandigarh shows teenagers can significantly reduce their junk food consumption with simple school interventions. Researchers from the Public Health Foundation of India and PGI Chandigarh conducted this important research. They published their findings in BMJ Global Health.
How the Study Worked
The study involved eight public schools in Chandigarh over six months. Researchers conducted eleven intensive awareness sessions with adolescents. They also held one educational session with parents. Dr Sandeep Kaur, the lead author and assistant professor at PHFI, explained their approach.
"We targeted urban adolescents in this randomised controlled study," Dr Kaur said. "When we began, each teen consumed around 3,500 calories daily, mostly from ultra-processed foods. Teens actually need only 1,800 to 2,000 calories per day."
Remarkable Results Emerge
The intervention produced impressive outcomes. Students reduced their ultra-processed food consumption by almost thirty percent. Their daily calorie intake dropped by 1,682 calories. Daily consumption fell from 3,500 calories to approximately 2,000 calories.
"Simple interventions in early adolescence work," Dr Kaur emphasized. "The students showed a conscious shift toward healthier dietary choices."
Consumption of other processed foods also decreased significantly. The study demonstrated that cutting unhealthy food proves easier than building positive habits. Students did not substantially increase their fruit or home-cooked food intake despite reducing junk food.
Parental Habits Remain Unchanged
An interesting finding emerged regarding parental behavior. Parents did not significantly alter their eating patterns despite their children's awareness. This suggests habit-forming works best during life's earliest stages.
Practical Methodology Made Difference
Researchers used creative methods to change student eating behavior. Daily sessions explored why students preferred certain foods based on color, taste, and preference. They discovered students consumed 8 to 9 grams of salt daily, exceeding WHO recommendations of less than 5 grams.
"We found family members sprinkled salt out of habit rather than measuring amounts," Dr Kaur explained. "We gave children measuring spoon sets and told them to scoop WHO's daily salt quota into a bowl for daily use."
Researchers spoke with mothers about following this method while packing tiffins. This practical approach helped students understand and implement dietary changes.
Why This Study Matters for India
India faces a rapid rise in childhood obesity, diabetes, and heart-disease risk. This study demonstrates schools could become frontline outposts for preventing future lifestyle diseases. Low-cost interventions like awareness sessions show promising results.
Some CBSE schools already adopt canteen menu overhauls. The study's impact assessment faced an eight-month Covid delay, yet still showed significant calorie reduction. This proves school-level interventions remain sustainable when working with both teachers and parents.
Policy Recommendations Emerge
Researchers call for uniform policies regulating ultra-processed foods. They recommend mandatory Front-of-Pack Warning Labels featuring clear symbols like black octagons stating "High in Sugar/Salt/Fats" based on WHO guidelines.
A new color coding system could stratify packaged foods' calorie load. Public awareness campaigns and restrictions on unhealthy food marketing also need implementation. These measures could help combat India's growing lifestyle disease burden.
The Chandigarh study offers hope in the fight against childhood obesity. Simple school-based programs can dramatically reduce junk food consumption among adolescents. This approach provides a practical model for other Indian cities facing similar health challenges.
