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India is grappling with an alarming nutrition crisis driven by unhealthy dietary habits, warn health experts. With 56.4% of the total disease burden attributed to poor eating practices, the need for a nationwide dietary shift has become urgent.
Speaking at the 30th Continuing Medical Education (CME) seminar organized by the Physicians Association for Nutrition India (PAN India) in collaboration with the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Bengaluru, Dr. Hemalatha R, former director of the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN), highlighted the severity of the issue.
“India faces a unique and alarming nutrition crisis, with abdominal obesity being more prevalent than overall obesity. Over 50% of the population suffers from diet-related disorders such as obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and fatty liver,” said Dr. Hemalatha.
The ICMR-NIN report underscores that the consumption of processed foods high in salt, sugar, and fats has reached unprecedented levels. The proliferation of fast-food chains and the easy availability of packaged snacks have contributed significantly to these unhealthy dietary patterns.
NCDs Rising in Younger Populations
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which account for 66% of all deaths in India, are increasingly affecting younger populations. Unlike Western countries, where such diseases typically appear later in life, two-thirds of Indians with NCDs are between 26 and 59 years old—prime working years.
“Unhealthy diets account for over 56% of the country’s disease burden, impacting individuals from foetal development to adulthood,” Dr. Hemalatha noted. She emphasized that pregnant women consuming processed foods and high-sugar diets risk compromising their children’s cognitive and overall health.
Shift Towards Balanced Diets
Experts at the seminar stressed the importance of adopting balanced diets rich in pulses, legumes, whole grains, vegetables, and fruits to combat the growing health crisis.
Dr. G. Rajendiran, Head of Preventive Cardiology at PSGIMSR Coimbatore and Director of the VR Heart Health Initiative, highlighted the critical role of whole food plant-based diets in preventing and managing cardiovascular diseases. “The increasing prevalence of cardiovascular conditions despite advances in medical care underscores the need for dietary intervention,” he said.
Economic and Social Impacts
The consequences of poor dietary habits extend beyond individual health, affecting India’s economic and social structures. With younger populations bearing the brunt of NCDs, the nation risks reduced productivity and increased healthcare costs.
Call to Action
The experts called for a concerted effort to promote dietary awareness and encourage healthy eating practices. Public health campaigns, regulatory policies to curb processed food consumption, and community-level initiatives could play a pivotal role in reversing the current trends.
Shifting to a diet rooted in whole, minimally processed foods isn’t just a personal choice—it’s a national imperative to safeguard the future health of India.
