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India is witnessing a troubling surge in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among its children, including obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. Health experts have pointed to the escalating consumption of junk food, packed with excessive and unhealthy levels of sugar, salt, and fat, as a primary cause behind this concerning trend.
Dr. Sathya Sriram, CEO of Preventive Health at Apollo Hospitals, highlighted a notable increase in obesity, pre-diabetes, fatty liver disease, and hypertension among Indian children. Shockingly, cases of obesity have tripled and hypertension quadrupled in the past five years, indicating a concerning shift of these diseases to younger age groups.
Data from Apollo Hospitals revealed a drastic rise in NCD incidence among children aged 5-17, with a doubling of diabetes cases over the past five years and 17% of cases showing signs of pre-diabetes. Additionally, hypertension cases have been detected in children as young as seven years old, accounting for approximately 6% of those screened.
The sedentary lifestyle and genetic predisposition are contributing risk factors, yet experts like Dr. Arun Gupta, a pediatrician and Convener of Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest (NAPi), primarily attribute this surge to rising childhood obesity, largely caused by increased consumption of junk or ultra-processed foods (UPF). Obesity acts as a precursor to various NCDs, including diabetes, hypertension, and cancer.
Dr. Gupta emphasized the concerning rise in obesity across all age groups, as seen in the National Family Health Surveys (NFHS) 3, 4, and 5. He linked this trend to the booming ultra-processed food industry in India, which has witnessed substantial growth in retail sales value, outpacing staple foods.
The World Health Organization (WHO) also highlighted the rapid expansion of the UPF industry in India, showing a compound annual growth rate of 13.37% between 2011 and 2021. Dr. Gupta stressed the lack of awareness among families regarding the health risks associated with excessive junk food consumption, citing examples like biscuits that often contain levels of salt, sugar, and fats surpassing WHO recommendations for daily intake.
Dr. Sriram raised concerns about the simultaneous rise in mental health issues like anxiety and depression in children, compounded by increased screen time, which not only contributes to orthopedic issues but also impacts learning abilities.
Both experts underscored the urgency for strict regulations on UPFs and advocated for promoting real, healthier foods, especially in school canteens. Regular health check-ups for children were recommended to ensure overall well-being and early disease prevention. These check-ups are deemed vital not only for disease prevention but also for maximizing a child’s performance and quality of life.
