Eat Right Campaign

CERC

Overview

Given that childhood dietary behaviours track into adulthood and food preferences are often formed during school years, cultivating healthy food choices in school age children is essential. Childhood obesity and poor nutrition among school children & youth have been areas of concern in our region.

The Eat Right Campaign is an educational initiative aimed at instilling healthy eating habits in school children & youth. The objective of this program is to create awareness about food safety, nutrition & hygiene. Through school-based programs and community outreach, it builds a network of “Eat Right Ambassadors" who influence their families and the community at large.

The project seeks to spark lifelong awareness of healthy & nutritious food,& sustainable food systems, starting with early education. By adopting these habits early, the project supports long-term shifts toward healthy food habits at the household level and beyond.

Key actors

Schools & colleges are well poised to promote lifelong healthy habits, as students spend an average of 6-8 hours every day there, and are strongly influenced by peers and teachers.
Other key actors are teachers & educators, academicians, families & the local communities and the general public.

Lessons Learned

Hands-on activities, competitions, quiz, workshops and activities exploring the creative side of the students ensure involved participation.
Engaging students as messengers fosters ripple effects in their homes and neighbourhoods.
The tiffin survey activity encourages students to take healthy eating lessons home and involve the family in the campaign.
Ongoing feedback mechanism & impact assessment tools, practical engagement locally tailored messaging are needed.

Alignment with the EAT-Lancet Commission

Children are becoming health advocates at home, ripple effect by spreading awareness among families and communities at large.
This has led to quantifiable reduction in consumption of packaged and processed foods.
There's increased intake of whole grains and millets.
Tiffin surveys show noticeable changes in children’s dietary patterns.
Awareness of healthy diets and sustainable food systems has grown.
Impact is measured through dietary shifts, student participation, and community feedback.
The CERC Eat Right Campaign shares goals with the EAT-Lancet Commission (2019).Both promote healthy and sustainable diets.
CERC integrates food safety, nutrition, and sustainability.
EAT-Lancet links healthy diets with sustainable food production practices.

Next steps

Secure long-term funding to meet increasing demand.
Amplify the impact of the ongoing campaign, by building an engaged community ( Brigade of Eat Right Ambassadors)
Strategic partnerships & leveraging their networks and expertise to reach wider audiences.
CERC aims to expand the program to more schools and regions in India, train more students.

For more information contact: Dr. Anindita Mehta at ceo@cercindia.org

Page updated

Report abuse