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Government school kids get a guide on healthy living

The Union Health Ministry has launched a booklet that warns students against alcohol addiction, junk food, crash diets, and talks about menstrual hygiene

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A government-run school classroom, the booklet titled ‘Swasth Bacche Swasth Bharat’ in Hindi, which is being distributed among students of Class 8 to 10 (left)—for representation purpose only
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To inculcate healthy habits among school-going children, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched a booklet, titled 'Healthy Children, Healthy India'. Two lakh copies — in Hindi and in English — have already been distributed among students of Class 8 to 10 in government-run schools in the country.

Designed by the Central Health Education Bureau, Directorate of Health Services (DGHS), the booklet covers various topics like diet and fitness, eating disorders, and substance abuse.

"Follow a balanced diet. Eat more fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Never indulge in crash diets. Avoid junk food. Limit intake of sugar, salt, and aerated drinks, and exercise regularly. Maintain a clean environment at home and school. Say no to tobacco, alcohol and drugs. Limit screen time (mobile, television, computer, and laptop), and maintain a disciplined life," the book preaches.

"Students face a lot of stress in today's competitive world. They have to learn by rote reams of books and articles in a race to secure high scores to make it to elite institutes or get jobs in reputed companies. In the process, their health is sacrificed," Union Health Minister JP Nadda writes in the preface of the booklet. "In this context, I remember an old adage, 'a sound mind in a sound body', which means maintaining good health at all times is the key to excelling not only in your studies, but in other fields too," he writes.

A joint effort with the Ministry of Human Resource and Development (HRD), Nadda said the project was part of the Health Ministry's efforts to "catch them Young". They hope to effect behavioural change among teens to keep them away from picking up bad habits later in life. "Through pictorial books, we intend to educate the youth about healthy living habits and activities," he had said.

The ministry has also taken a tough stand against junk food. "Junk food is calorie-rich, containing high amount of fat, sugar and salt. Regular intake of junk food results in obesity," a chapter on healthy eating states. It also covers diseases associated with obesity.

The book contains graphs and tables on Body Mass Index (BMI) and other parameters to calculate the right weight. It advises children to take up physical activities, to "prevent diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, to reduce risk of cancer, improve mental health and mood, make ageing more graceful, and help maintain weight."

Subjects covered

Booklet contains information and illustrations on:
Healthy diet and lifestyle
Healthy environment
Physical activity
Personal hygiene
Menstrual hygiene
Tobacco, alcohol, and drug abuse
Road safety

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