India- the Diabetic capital of the world

Why in the News?

A recent study conducted by the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research and the Union Health Ministry has revealed that 11.4% of India’s population or 10.13 crore people are living with diabetes.

• 15.3% of the population or an additional 13.6 crore people are pre-diabetic.
• 28.6% of the population would be considered to be obese as per the BMI measure.

Consumption of ultra-processed foods:

1. The WHO reports that consumption of unhealthy ultra-processed foods and beverages which are aggressively marketed displacing traditional diets is a major reason for the rising trend.
2. Such food includes carbonated drinks, instant cereals, chips, fruit-flavoured drinks, instant noodles, cookies, ice cream, etc.,
3. A 10% increase in the consumption of ultra-processed food per day can come with 15% higher risk of type-2 diabetes among adults. 
4. Ultra-processed food can lead people eat more, gain weight, and heightens the risk of diabetes and other chronic diseases. 
5. Intake of ultra-processed food for more than four servings increases the risk of cardiovascular mortality compared to those who took less than two servings a day.

A playground for the food industry

1. 1. 1. 1. A report reveals that the sale of sugar-sweetened beverages has fallen in the last 20 years in many high-income countries, pushing those companies to focus on low- and middle-income countries.
         2. Marketing targets vulnerable populations such as younger generations and the growing middle class making it harder for an individual to choose healthy food options.
         3. Children exposed to cartoon characters and given incentives and gifts and Celebrity endorsements have strongly influenced consumption decisions.
         4. False promises such as participation in programmes like ‘Eat Right’ and absence of any restrictions on marketing have provided wide arena for the food industry to further its profits without due regard to the mounting public health crisis.

What has to be done?

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s (FSSAI) recommendation of front-of-package labelling has to be implemented along with providing warning labels on junk food and beverages.
                  2. A legal framework or an ordinance (Article 123 of the Constitution) can be used to reduce/halt the consumption of ultra-processed foods and safeguard people from the manipulative strategies of the food industry. It can include,
                     1. Defining what constitutes ‘healthy food’
                     2. A warning label on unhealthy food
                     3. Restrictions on the promotion and marketing tactics of unhealthy food and beverages. 

The infant milk substitutes, feeding bottles and infant foods (regulation of production, supply and distribution) Act, 1992 helped India to curb the growth of commercial baby food. Enactment of legislations on such lines can be made applicable to unhealthy foods and beverages.