Economic Survey 2026 Flags Alarming Rise in Obesity, Urges Nutrition Reforms
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Firstpost•29-01-2026, 15:44
Economic Survey 2026 Flags Alarming Rise in Obesity, Urges Nutrition Reforms
- •The Economic Survey 2026 highlights a significant increase in obesity across all age groups in India, calling it a major public health challenge.
- •Factors contributing to rising obesity include unhealthy diets, sedentary lifestyles, increased consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), and environmental influences.
- •NFHS 2019-21 data shows 24% of Indian women and 23% of men are overweight or obese; child obesity is also rising, projected to reach 83 million by 2035.
- •India is a fast-growing market for UPFs, with sales surging from USD 0.9 billion in 2006 to nearly USD 38 billion in 2019, correlating with increased obesity.
- •The survey recommends restricting UPF advertisements, implementing front-of-pack nutrition labeling, and launching multi-pronged government initiatives like POSHAN Abhiyaan and Fit India Movement to combat obesity.
Why It Matters: India faces a severe obesity crisis driven by UPFs and lifestyle changes, necessitating urgent nutrition-focused public health reforms.
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