Letter to Editor

Implementing a Settings‑based Approach for Health

Promotion – A Government Initiative in India
Respected Sir,
A recent study examined the lifestyle factors influencing the
[1]
health status of medical and nursing students at a rural healthcare
institute in India. The findings revealed a significant difference
in lifestyle behaviors between students on campus and those at
home. The authors emphasized the need for targeted interventions
on campus, specifically in the areas of nutrition and physical
activity, to effectively prevent noncommunicable diseases.
In another literature review article,[2] researchers explored
the connection between the conceptual proposal of
health‑promoting universities and the actual activities
implemented to improve the health of workers in higher
education institutions. The study concluded that there is a
scarcity of initiatives incorporating these practices, leading
to a gap between expectations and reality.
Both studies highlight the emerging need for a structured
approach to health promotion activities, benefiting students
and faculty members who spend a significant portion of
their active hours on campus. The Government of India has
launched several ambitious projects to promote health in
various settings. I would like to emphasize these initiatives in
this communication.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has
introduced the “Eat Right Campus” program, which promotes
a healthy food environment in settings where individuals spend
a considerable amount of time, such as workplaces, colleges,
universities, and similar institutions.[3] Since these campuses
often accommodate a range of food‑service establishments,
including in‑house canteens, catering services, food delivery,
restaurants, and cafes, it is essential to address multiple issues to
ensure the provision of safe and wholesome food. These issues
include maintaining hygiene standards, offering healthy food
options, practicing environmentally sustainable food practices,
and engaging consumers to make informed food choices.[3] As
part of the Eat Right Campus initiative, FSSAI has developed
a comprehensive checklist of best practices that campuses
should follow, covering four key parameters: ensuring safe
food, providing healthy food, implementing sustainable food
practices, and building awareness.[3] Campuses that meet the
criteria outlined in this checklist, based on an evaluation by a
third‑party audit agency, receive certification as an “Eat Right
Campus.” This certification not only recognizes the campus’s
efforts in improving public health but also enhances its brand
value, setting an example for others to follow. Notably,
esteemed educational institutions like IIT Ahmedabad, Gujarat,
and IIT Gandhinagar, Gujarat, have been certified as Eat Right
Campuses, underscoring their commitment to promoting health
within their campuses.[3]
To assist campuses in implementing these best practices,
FSSAI has created the “Orange Book for Eat Right Campus.”
This resource book provides a detailed explanation of the
recommended practices and offers simple and illustrative
guidance on their implementation.[4] It aligns with the Eat
Right Campus Checklist, serving as a valuable reference for
campus administrators and stakeholders.
The methodical and structured approach advocated by these
programs is crucial for establishing a health‑promoting campus
that benefits students and faculty members. However, to ensure
effective implementation, it is imperative that the relevant
authorities become aware of these programs and actively
support their adoption.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
Vinu A. K. Vij
Department of Physiology, AIIMS, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
Address for correspondence: Dr. Vinu A. K. Vij,
Room No 117, Academic Block, AIIMS, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.
E‑mail: vijvinuvij@gmail.com
References
1. Shekhar R, Prasad N, Singh T. Lifestyle factors influencing medical
and nursing students’ health status at a rural healthcare institute. J Educ
Health Promot 2022;11:21.
2. Faria MG, Fernandes RC, Gallasch CH, Alves LV. Contributions of
the health‑promoting universities’ movement: An integrative literature
review. J Educ Health Promot 2021;10:114.

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 Letter to Editor

3. Eat Right Campus. Available from: https://eatrightindia.gov.in/

This is an open access journal, and articles are distributed under the terms of the Creative
EatRightCampus/aboutUs. [Last Accessed on 2023 Jun 08].
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4. FSSAI. Available from: https://www.fssai.gov.in/book-details. remix, tweak, and build upon the work non‑commercially, as long as appropriate credit
php?bkid=149%5D. [Last Accessed on 2023 Jun 08]. is given and the new creations are licensed under the identical terms.

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DOI:
10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_370_23

How to cite this article: Vij VA. Implementing a settings‑based approach

for health promotion – A government initiative in India. Indian J Community
Med 2024;49:450-1.
Received: 08-06-23, Accepted: 18-08-23, Published: 07-03-24
© 2024 Indian Journal of Community Medicine | Published by Wolters Kluwer ‑ Medknow

Indian Journal of Community Medicine ¦ Volume 49 ¦ Issue 2 ¦ March-April 2024 451