Obesity in India

An analysis of the earnings data for salaried workers, casual labourers, and self-employed persons from Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) reports shows that when adjusted for inflation, wages for salaried workers in India have stagnated since 2019.

Tackling Obesity in India

Background

• Dramatic obesity and diabetes crisis, wherein
  • 1 in 4 adults are obese.
  • 1 in 4 adults are diabetic or pre diabetic (National Family Health Survey 5).
• The Economic Survey 2025 put forth a suggestion for levying a health tax on ultra processed foods (UPFs) in opposition to their high consumption.
• However, weak food marketing regulations counter any credible action taken in this regard.

Food Labelling and Advertisement Dilemmas

Flawed Labelling System

• FSSAI’s Indian Nutrition Rating (INR) (2022)
  • Modeled loosely on Australia’s ineffective health star system.
• Deceptive star ratings
  • Making UPF look good.
• Conflict of interest
  • Policymaking was heavily influenced by the food industry.
  • Traffic light warning labels (2021 draft regulations) were scrapped due to pressures from the industry.

Problems of INR System

• These UPFs continue to be rated ‘healthy’
  • 2 Stars for Biscuits (high fat, sugar, salt).
  • 2 Stars for Soft Drinks (high sugar).
  • 3 Stars for Cornflakes (high sugar, sodium).
• International Best Practice
  • Warning labels (Chilean way ‘high in’ black labels), have reduced consumption by UPFs by 24%.
• The Way Ahead: Shift INR into mandatory ‘high in’ warning label implementation according to WHO or Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) guidelines.

Weak Advertising Regulations

• Four existing laws try to halt the misleading advertising HFSS/UPF, but none are effective.
• 2017 National Multisectoral Action Plan called for restricting HFSS food ads, however, no action has been taken.
• Consumer Protection Act, 2019
  • Defines ‘misleading ads’ but does not compel nutritional information to be declared in food ads.
• For instance: A cola drink is free to advertise sugar per bottle, which is 9 10 teaspoons.
• Gaps in FSSAI Regulations
  • No clear definition of HFSS/UPFs.
  • There are no nutritional disclosure requirements in ads.
• Impact
  • Marketing for unhealthy foods is directed at children & youth that aggravate the rates of obesity & diabetes.
• Global evidence: Banning junk food ads is shown to effectively reduce childhood obesity rates.

Recommendations: The Way Forward

• Inevitably disband Indian Nutrition Rating systems, compulsorily introduce mandatory ‘high in’ warning labels under WHO and ICMR guidelines.
• Specify threshold limits for sugar/salt/fat applicable to HFSS food products in conformity with the WHO SEARO and ICMR NIN guidelines.
• Close advertising loopholes by
  • Either amending the existing laws or making a new consolidated HFSS/UPF ad ban.
  • Restrict junk food ads, especially targeting children.
  • Launch a national campaign against UPFs and their risks through multiple languages.

Source: The Hindu