The alarming surge in obesity cases in India, driven by unhealthy diets and lifestyle changes, including inactive lifestyles, increased consumption of ultra-processed foods, and various environmental factors.
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The alarming surge in obesity cases in India, driven by unhealthy diets and lifestyle changes, including inactive lifestyles, increased consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), and various environmental factors, has become a major public health challenge, said the Economic Survey for 2025-26 tabled by the Union Finance Minister in the Parliament on Thursday. This, the survey said, is affecting people across all age groups and increasing the risk of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, stroke, and other lifestyle-related illnesses. Citing the official data that says 24 per cent of Indian women and 23 per cent of Indian men are overweight, while the prevalence of obesity among the children under five has increased from 2.1 per cent in 2015-16 to 3.4 per cent in 2019-21, it said issues like poor dietary habits and digital addiction could negatively affect India’s economic growth in the long run if left unchecked. It also expressed concern over the growing market for ultra-processed food in the country- by more than 150 per cent from 2009 to 2023. These issues may not directly relate to economic policy but the centre has taken it up, and rightly so, recognising the importance of physical and mental health for sustainable economic growth. Poor health can affect a country's productivity and GDP.
Well, there is a growing awareness of the need for a healthy lifestyle worldwide. In July last year, the Union Health Ministry had issued an advisory to display ‘oil and sugar boards’ in various workplaces such as lobbies, canteens, cafeterias, meeting rooms, etc., in an attempt to tackle obesity. This was followed by the Tamil Nadu government’s direction to install similar boards displaying the recommended daily intake of “oil, sugar, and salt” in all educational institutions to educate students about the importance of healthier food choices. These campaigns drew appreciation from various quarters, including the FSSAI and the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. To tackle obesity, the Economic Survey for 2025-26 has also suggested better food labelling to help consumers make informed choices about their food intake. The authorities can consider introducing preventive measures like imposing higher tariffs on junk food and requiring statutory warnings on such items. Most importantly, people should be empowered by raising awareness about the need to combat obesity through healthy living and physical activity. This message should reach every nook and corner of the country and be communicated in the vernacular language that people can understand. The government alone can’t tackle this rising health crisis.