Kids in UP Schools to Get Sun Exposure for Vitamin D

Schools in UP will now have to conduct morning assembly sessions and other activities under the open sky. The idea behind this is to tackle diseases, like rickets caused by Vitamin D deficiency and boost calcium and Vitamin D levels in students.

All government schools in Uttar Pradesh has made it mandatory to keep the morning assembly sessions and extra-curricular activities in the open instead of inside classrooms and auditoriums so that students can get appropriate vitamin D.

The decision has been taken following a recent directive from the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) to all states and Union Territories, calling for more physical activities under the sun to tackle diseases, like rickets (soft bones and skeletal deformities), caused by Vitamin D deficiency.

Calcium and Vitamin Supplements
Calcium and vitamin supplements are taken to provide the body with the ''required'' nutrients. Calcium is a mineral found in many foods. Vitamins are very important nutrients for the body.

‘UP govt to hold extra-curricular activities in the open so that students get adequate vitamin D from the sunlight. As a part of the program, awareness talks will also be held at government schools in the state in addition to outdoor activities during free periods. ’
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According to state Additional Director (basic education) Lalita Pradeep: "Schools will now have to conduct morning prayers and other activities under the open sky. Most village schools already hold sessions outdoors, but those in urban and semi-urban areas will now have to follow suit. The focus will also be on organizing games outdoors."

She said that the MHRD had asked all the 29 states and seven Union Territories to "promote sun exposure programs" in their respective schools.

This underscores the need to eradicate diseases caused by lack of Vitamin D.

Rickets
Encyclopedia section of medindia explains in brief about Rickets

As a part of the program, awareness lectures will also be held at government schools in the state in addition to outdoor activities during free periods.

During the growing-up phase, school children remain highly susceptible to bone deforming effects of calcium and Vitamin D deficiency, primarily manifesting as rickets.

Sunlight: An Important Source of Vitamin D
Vitamin D is an essential vitamin necessary for the development of bones. Sunlight helps the body to produce vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency results in rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.

This disease can have severe growth outcome for children and lead to lifelong deformities and disabilities.

Source-IANS

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