Lifestyle, less nutritious food making school-goers fall sick: Experts

Most of the school children of Delhi today are suffering from bad health because of their lifestyle and less nutritious food they are consuming say many city nutritionists and observers.

Speaking on the issue, Rahul Verma who heads a private Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) says: “The problem arises because in the fast paced city life parents are not able to provide time to themselves and their children which result in an unhealthy lifestyle.”

Elaborating on it further, Verma says: “Today most of the children do not have a healthy breakfast, many of them do not even take tiffins and rely on the food available in the canteens. Most of these canteens sell junk food which are less in proteins and more in carbohydrates and fats. High consumption of such food items result in problems like obesity, lethargy and setting in of early fatigue among children.”

Verma who recently filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against banning of junk food in the school canteens and in the vicinity of school premises prompted the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) to enforce strict guidelines in sale of junk food in Delhi schools.

“Out of 100 patients I receive, 20 per cent of the patients are children who are less than fifteen years of age and face issues like acidity and constipation,” said Dr Divya Gandhi, a renowned city nutritionist. Dr Gandhi also mentioned: “Today, processed and fried food items are the most-found in a student’s tiffin.”

Many nutritionists also pointed out that as many students are living a hectic life of being occupied first in school hours and then going for their coaching classes, with not enough time to physical activities, have also resulted in affecting the health of school children adversely.