WHO Foundation and Novo Nordisk Launch Initiative to Prevent Childhood Obesity in India
The WHO Foundation and global healthcare company Novo Nordisk have announced a new partnership aimed at preventing
childhood obesity in India. The collaboration will provide financial and technical support to strengthen obesity prevention
strategies and improve the readiness of the health system to address the growing problem among children.
The programme will focus on schools and early-life environments to encourage healthier lifestyles among children.
It is designed as a scalable model so that it can be implemented across multiple regions of the country in the future.
Key Highlights of the Initiative
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Collaboration | WHO Foundation and Novo Nordisk |
| Objective | Prevent and reduce childhood obesity in India |
| Programme Type | School-based health programme |
| Target Group | School-aged children across India |
| Main Focus | Healthy lifestyle promotion, early obesity detection, and health awareness |
| Government Alignment | Ayushman Bharat School Health and Wellness Programme |
| Framework | WHO Health Promoting Schools Framework |
Why Childhood Obesity is a Growing Concern
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), overweight and obesity are now responsible for more deaths globally
than underweight conditions. Increasing obesity rates among children have become a major public health concern in many countries, including India.
Children who are overweight are more likely to develop serious health issues in adulthood such as:
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Other non-communicable diseases
Focus Areas of the Programme
| Programme Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Healthy School Environment | Encouraging healthier food choices and supportive environments in schools. |
| Physical Activity Promotion | Increasing sports, exercise, and daily physical activity among students. |
| Health Screening | Early detection of obesity-related health risks in children. |
| Lifestyle Education | Teaching students about nutrition, fitness, and healthy habits. |
| Mental Health Support | Promoting emotional well-being alongside physical health. |
Why India is a Priority Country
India has been identified as a priority country for this initiative due to the increasing prevalence of obesity
among children and adolescents. Rapid urbanisation, lifestyle changes, and unhealthy dietary habits have contributed
to the growing challenge.
Through this collaborative effort, the programme aims to strengthen preventive healthcare strategies and empower
children to adopt healthier lifestyles from an early age.
KSRTC’s “Dhwani Spandana” Initiative Wins National Innovation Award
The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has received a national award for its
innovative initiative called “Dhwani Spandana”, which has been developed to assist visually impaired passengers
while travelling in public buses.
The project was recognised at the Governance Now 12th PSU National Awards in the category of
Excellence in Innovation. The award ceremony was held in New Delhi.
About the Dhwani Spandana System
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Initiative Name | Dhwani Spandana – Onboard Bus Identification and Navigation System |
| Organisation | Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) |
| Award | Governance Now 12th PSU National Awards |
| Award Category | Excellence in Innovation |
| Implementation Area | Mysuru City Transport buses |
| Buses Covered | Approximately 200 buses |
| Technical Support | GIZ Germany |
How the System Helps Visually Impaired Passengers
The Dhwani Spandana system enables visually impaired passengers to identify buses and navigate
their journey independently. The technology provides audio-based assistance that helps passengers recognize the
correct bus and travel safely.
- Helps visually impaired passengers identify buses easily
- Provides navigation assistance during travel
- Reduces dependency on others
- Improves safety and confidence in public transport
Importance of the Initiative
Officials have stated that the system has significantly improved the confidence of visually impaired passengers
while travelling in city buses. The initiative is considered an important step towards creating a more
inclusive and accessible public transport system in India.
Such innovations highlight the importance of technology-driven solutions in improving mobility for persons with disabilities
and strengthening inclusive urban transportation.