Context : Rising Concern and Initiatives
- Adolescent obesity is gaining increased attention in public discourse and national health programmes.
- Poshan Pakhwada 2024 focused on childhood & adolescent obesity along with the first 1,000 days of life.
- Let’s Fix Our Food consortium (ICMR-NIN, PHFI, UNICEF, etc.) released policy briefs to improve food environments for adolescents.
- The Supreme Court has directed the Central government to implement transparent food labelling regulations within 3 months — a step toward accountability.
Relevance : GS 2(Health)
The Nutrition Paradox
- India faces a dual burden: undernutrition and rising obesity among adolescents.
- Adolescents face:
- Rapid growth phase
- Increased vulnerability to poor nutrition
- Risk of long-term NCDs (obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases)
- Ultra-processed foods dominate due to marketing and convenience.
- World Obesity Atlas 2024: India has one of the fastest-growing rates of childhood obesity.
- Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey:
- 5%+ adolescents overweight/obese nationally
- 10–15% in some states
- Concerning due to adolescents forming ~20% of India’s population
Vulnerability in a Liberal Food Environment
- Adolescents appear to have food choices but lack access to healthy options.
- Influences: schools, social media, peers, marketing.
- Highly processed, sugary, and salty foods dominate diets.
- Impact extends beyond health:
- Poor nutrition → ↓ academic performance, ↓ concentration, ↑ absenteeism
- Future productivity and mental health also suffer
Solutions: Two-Pronged Strategy
Strong Regulatory Policies
- Make healthy food accessible, affordable, and aspirational.
- Introduce fiscal tools:
- Health tax on HFSS (High Fat, Salt, Sugar) foods
- Subsidies for nutritious foods
- Implement Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labels (FOPL)
- Enforce regulations on misleading food ads, especially on digital platforms and in schools.
Youth Engagement and Food Literacy
- Nutrition education in schools and communities
- Promote food literacy:
- Distinguishing healthy vs. unhealthy food (including home-cooked)
- Reading and interpreting food labels
- Choosing diverse, locally sourced diets
Need for Convergent Governance
- Nutrition is a multi-sectoral issue: spans across ministries like WCD, Health, Agriculture, Education, Industry, Consumer Affairs.
- Lack of inter-ministerial coordination weakens efforts.
- Programmes like Poshan Abhiyaan offer frameworks but need better convergence in action.
Conclusion: A Call for Systemic Shift
- Combating obesity needs:
- Healthy food plates
- Playgrounds for physical activity
- Robust policy interventions
- Youth-led awareness and leadership
- A transformed food ecosystem
- It’s not just about awareness — it’s about reshaping the environment that influences choices.
