Rising Health Issues in Urban India
A study found 84% of IT employees in Hyderabad have Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) and 71% are obese.
Causes include stress, high salt intake, poor sleep, and long sedentary hours.
IT companies provide unhealthy snacks, worsening the problem.
Urban India faces both undernutrition and overnutrition at the same time.
India ranks 2nd globally for overweight and obesity.
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) cause 74% of deaths worldwide and are rising in India’s working population.
In Tamil Nadu, over 65% of deaths in Chennai are due to NCDs, but many patients lack proper control of conditions like hypertension and diabetes.
Poor diets and low physical activity contribute to the health crisis.
Obesity increases with age and wealth; urban areas have higher NCD rates than rural ones.
Government and Public Health Efforts
Tamil Nadu’s Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam (MTM) program screened many employees and promotes healthier habits like walking and better nutrition.
India’s energy-dense, nutrient-poor fast foods grow in popularity, complicating efforts.
The National Family Health Survey shows obesity is increasing with age and wealth across the country.
Childhood obesity is rising sharply and expected to increase further.
India urgently needs stronger energy efficiency measures, better public health policies, and increased awareness.
Better Regulation and Food Industry Changes
Consumers want healthier choices but face a market full of ultra-processed, unhealthy foods.
The Eat Right India movement promotes safe and healthy food, hygiene ratings, and better labeling.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is working on better food labels like the Health Star Rating system, though it faces criticism.
Supreme Court directed FSSAI to review food safety and labeling regulations.
More strict enforcement and coordination between sectors are needed to regulate food production, marketing, and availability.
Learning from Global Examples and Future Actions
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 shows success by combining taxes on sugary drinks, sodium limits, calorie labeling, and removing trans fats.
India’s cities are growing fast, with IT sectors demanding late-night food options that are mostly unhealthy.
The spread of unhealthy food culture increases NCD risks beyond just IT workers.
India must go beyond awareness to action with regulatory reforms.
Taxes on unhealthy foods could help, as India has a history of using taxes to influence behavior.
Strong policies are essential to prevent a worsening nutrition-driven public health crisis.
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