India is facing a critical nutrition crisis with over half the population suffering from diet-related disorders. Experts are sounding the alarm about the prevalence of unhealthy eating habits, particularly processed foods and sugary snacks. Non-Communicable Diseases are hitting younger populations at an alarming rate, threatening economic productivity. The solution lies in shifting towards balanced diets rich in whole grains, pulses, vegetables, and fruits.
"India faces a unique and alarming nutrition crisis, with abdominal obesity being more prevalent than overall obesity." - Dr. Hemalatha R by IANS
New Delhi, Jan 12: Shifting to
balanced diets is key to combat the alarming nutrition crisis, caused by
unhealthy diets, in India, said health experts.
Key Points
1. 56.4%
of disease burden linked to unhealthy dietary practices
2. Non-Communicable
Diseases affecting younger populations
3. Urgent need for balanced, whole food diet
According to the latest report of the Indian Council
of Medical Research-National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN), India is facing
a health crisis, with 56.4 per cent of the total disease burden attributed to
unhealthy dietary practices.
Unhealthy eating habits, including the consumption of
processed foods high in salt, sugar, and fats, have become alarmingly
prevalent, with the proliferation of fast-food chains and the easy availability
of packaged snacks.
"India faces a unique and alarming nutrition
crisis, with abdominal obesity being more prevalent than overall obesity. More
than 50 per cent of the population suffers from diet-related disorders,
including obesity, diabetes type 2, fatty liver, etc.," said Dr. Hemalatha
R, ex-director of ICMR-NIN.
Hemalatha said this while delivering a keynote address
at the 30th Continuing Medical Education (CME) seminar recently organised by
the Physicians Association for Nutrition India (PAN India) in collaboration
with Indian Medical Association (IMA) Bengaluru.
Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) account for 66 per
cent of all mortality in the country. Unlike the much-developed Western world,
where NCDs typically manifest later in life, India faces these diseases at a
much younger age.
Alarmingly, two-thirds of Indians with NCDs fall
within the 26-59 age group, the most productive years of their lives. Most of
it is due to unhealthy diet choices and other lifestyle practices.
The ICMR-NIN study highlights that 56 per cent of the
disease burden is due to an unhealthy diet. This trend poses significant
challenges not just to individual health but also to the nation's economic and
social fabric.
"Unhealthy diets account for over 56 per cent of
the country's disease burden, and the impact begins as early as foetal
development, with pregnant women consuming processed foods and sugars risking
their children's cognitive health," Hemalatha said.
"This underscores the urgent need to shift
towards balanced diets rich in pulses, legumes, whole grains, vegetables, and
fruits, aligning with global recommendations to combat this alarming unhealthy
diet," the expert added.
Dr. G. Rajendiran, MBBS, MD, DM (Cardiology), Prof
& Head of Preventive Cardiology, PSGIMSR, Coimbatore Director-VR Heart
health initiative, also emphasised the importance of whole food plant-based
diet in prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases. This gains
importance given the increasing prevalence and mortality despite the recent
medical advances, she said.
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