16 October 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : India needs to begin its fight against diabetes in classrooms by helping children develop healthy eating habits and active lifestyles, according to Dr Shashank Joshi, an endocrinologist who has highlighted the role of schools in preventing lifestyle-related diseases. In an article published on October 16, 2026, in The Indian Express, Joshi argued that the habits children develop early in life can influence their health well into adulthood.
The expert’s message comes amid growing concern about obesity, unhealthy diets and physical inactivity among children. While diabetes is often associated with adults, the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes can be influenced by lifestyle patterns established during childhood and adolescence. Schools, therefore, have an important opportunity to promote healthier choices before unhealthy routines become difficult to change.
Joshi connected the issue to World Food Day, observed on October 16, and its 2026 theme, “Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow.” He argued that efforts to improve nutrition should extend beyond food production and availability to include the way children learn about food, health and daily habits.
Why childhood habits matter
Children’s daily routines often include the foods they eat at home and school, the amount of time they spend sitting, their physical activity and their sleep patterns. When these routines consistently involve excessive consumption of energy-dense foods and insufficient physical activity, the risk of obesity and metabolic problems can increase.
Type 2 diabetes generally develops over time. One important factor is insulin resistance, a condition in which the body’s cells respond less effectively to insulin. As the condition progresses, blood glucose levels can rise, potentially leading to prediabetes and eventually diabetes.
Not every child with unhealthy habits will develop diabetes, and genetics, family history and other factors also influence risk. However, promoting nutritious food, regular exercise and healthier daily routines from an early age can help reduce preventable risks.
Five habits schools should encourage
Dr Joshi has identified five everyday habits that schools can help children develop:
1. Eat breakfast regularly: Schools and families can encourage nutritious breakfasts using local foods such as ragi, peanuts, sattu and eggs, where suitable.
2. Choose water over sugary drinks: Access to safe drinking water and reduced promotion of sugary beverages can help children make healthier choices.
3. Eat fruits and millets: Colourful fruit, vegetables and nutritious grains can help improve dietary variety and encourage balanced eating.
4. Make physical activity a priority: Regular sports, physical education and time outdoors should be part of the school day rather than being routinely replaced by classroom lessons or tuition.
5. Get enough sleep: Children need consistent sleep routines. The expert notes that insufficient sleep can affect appetite regulation and metabolic health.
How schools can make a difference
The expert has suggested practical measures such as replacing chocolate-based birthday celebrations with fruit, teaching students to understand food labels, creating small school kitchen gardens and organising workshops to help parents prepare nutritious lunchboxes.
Schools can also provide safe spaces for physical activity and include health and wellbeing assessments alongside academic progress. These steps would make nutrition and physical activity part of everyday school life rather than limiting health education to occasional awareness campaigns.
The responsibility, however, does not rest with schools alone. Parents, teachers, healthcare professionals and policymakers all have a role in creating an environment where healthy choices are accessible and encouraged.