DIETARY HABITS AND NUTRITIONAL CHALLENGES IN INDIA

Source: DownToEarth

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Context

• The 2024 Global Food Policy Report by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) highlights concerning trends in dietary habits in India, revealing a significant preference for unhealthy foods over nutritious options.
• The report underscores the prevalence of malnutrition and the rising consumption of processed foods, reflecting broader global nutritional challenges.

Details

Key Findings

Unhealthy Food Consumption:

• Prevalence:38% of the Indian population consumes unhealthy foods such as salty or fried snacks.
• Healthy Diets:Only 28% of the population consumes all five recommended food groups, including starchy staples, vegetables, fruits, pulses, nuts, seeds, and animal-source foods.

Malnutrition Rates:

• Overall Malnutrition:6% of India’s population suffers from malnutrition, up from 15.4% in 2011.
• Impact:Nearly 17% of the population’s regular food consumption fails to meet the dietary energy levels necessary for an active and healthy life.

Trends in Processed Food Consumption:

• Increase in Processed Foods:The consumption of processed foods, such as chocolates, sugary snacks, beverages, and convenience foods, is rising.
• Household Expenditure:Expenditure on paid meals consumed away from home increased significantly from ₹619 billion ($8.8 billion) in 2015 to ₹820 billion ($11.6 billion) in 2019.
• Processed Foods:The share of packaged foods in household food budgets nearly doubled, from 6.5% to 12%.

Nutritional Challenges

 Double Burden of Malnutrition:

• Undernutrition and Obesity:Many countries, including India, face a double burden where undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies coexist with overweight and obesity.
• Micronutrient Deficiencies:Over half of children under five and two-thirds of adult women suffer from micronutrient deficiencies.

Economic Factors:

• Cost of Healthy Foods:Micronutrient-rich foods are significantly more expensive than calorie-dense, nutrient-poor options like cereals and snacks.
• Example Costs:Dark green leafy vegetables and vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables cost 22 times more per calorie than starchy staples.

Agricultural Policies:

• Cereal-Centric Policies:Agricultural policies in South Asia prioritize starchy staples (rice, wheat, sugarcane) over diverse diets necessary for long-term health.
• Investment Bias:Public investments in agricultural research and development focus on enhancing the productivity of rice and wheat, neglecting coarse grains and pulses.

Recommendations

Policy Interventions:

• Equitable Food Systems:Transform global food systems to ensure equitable access to sustainable, healthy diets.
• Focus on Nutrition:Address the bias towards starchy staples in agricultural policies and prioritize nutrient-dense foods.

Public Awareness:

• Dietary Guidelines:Follow the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) guidelines, which emphasize minimizing high-fat, sugar, and salt foods.

Addressing the Double Burden:

• Comprehensive Strategies:Implement strategies that address both undernutrition and diet-related noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
• Strengthen Healthcare Systems:Develop resilient healthcare systems capable of responding to nutritional challenges and pandemics.

Sources:

DownToEarth