Published by Vashishth Academy — Your Trusted Guide for UPSC, PCS & SSC Preparation in Ludhiana
🧭 Context: From Hunger to Obesity — A Shocking Shift
India, long considered a country struggling with undernutrition and hunger, is now facing a double burden — where obesity, poor diets, and lifestyle diseases are emerging as major threats, especially in urban areas.
📌 A Hyderabad study in the IT sector found 84% of employees with fatty liver disease (MAFLD) — a clear signal that lifestyle-induced non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are becoming the next big health crisis.
⚖️ India’s Paradox: Undernutrition + Overnutrition
| Type | Prevalent In | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Undernutrition | Rural, economically poor states | Anemia, stunting, poor development |
| Overnutrition | Urban middle & upper class | Obesity, diabetes, heart disease |
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India ranked 2nd globally in obesity (2021).
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37% obesity in India’s wealthiest group.
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NCDs caused 74% of global deaths in 2019 (WHO).
🔎 Despite economic growth, India’s Global Hunger Index remains low — reflecting unequal nutrition access.
🏙️ Urbanisation & The Lifestyle Shift
Rapid urbanisation and sedentary jobs in cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad have accelerated the health decline among working-age adults.
Causes of Rising Obesity:
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📱 IT sector sedentary work
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🍕 High-calorie, low-nutrition food
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🌙 Irregular sleep & high stress
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🚫 Lack of physical activity
Case Study (Tamil Nadu STEPS Survey 2023–24):
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Only 16% hypertensives have controlled BP.
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Just 10% diabetics have proper sugar control.
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94% eat fewer fruits/vegetables, and 25% lack any physical activity.
🧃 India’s Weak Response: Policy Gaps
Despite campaigns like Eat Right India, many roadblocks persist:
| Policy Issue | Description |
|---|---|
| ⚠️ Weak Regulation | Lax food safety laws & enforcement |
| ❌ Poor Labelling | No mandatory front-of-pack warnings |
| 🏭 Industry Pressure | Pushback from food & beverage lobby |
| ⭐️ Health Star Rating | Faces criticism for flawed metrics |
🌍 International Example: Saudi Arabia’s Success
India can take cues from Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which includes:
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✅ Calorie labelling on restaurant menus
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✅ Sugar-sweetened beverage tax
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✅ Ban on trans fats and salt control
🟢 Recognised by WHO for sodium reduction — something India is still lagging behind.
🛤️ The Way Forward: What India Needs Now
1. 💰 Fiscal Reforms (Sin Taxes)
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Impose taxes on sugar, salt, and saturated fats
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Invest the revenue into public health & nutrition
2. 🏷️ Food Labelling Reform
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Enforce clear front-of-pack warnings
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Mass awareness campaigns to interpret labels
3. 🏙️ Urban & Corporate Wellness
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Promote walkability, green spaces, & healthy cafeteria options
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Make employee health a core HR metric
4. 🤝 Multi-Sector Coordination
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Ministries of Health, Urban Development, Food Safety, and Education must collaborate.
📘 Exam Relevance (UPSC/PCS/SSC)
| Topic | Relevance |
|---|---|
| UPSC GS-2 & GS-3 | Health, Urbanisation, Governance |
| State PCS | Nutrition Policies, Public Health |
| SSC | Current Affairs, Obesity Trends |
📝 Key Terms to Know:
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MAFLD – Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease
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NCDs – Non-Communicable Diseases
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STEPS Survey
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Sin Tax
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Eat Right India
📣 Vashishth Academy Insights
At Vashishth Academy, Ludhiana’s premier institute for competitive exam prep, we focus on dynamic issues like health transitions, ensuring our students are exam-ready and socially aware.
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