India is a country of contrasts. One such contrast is the fact that it is one of the world’s largest food producers – and home to one quarter of the world’s peoples afflicted by starvation. This scenario is rooted in inequality. According to the World Food Programme, “in the last two decades, per capita income […]
diet and nutrition
Healthy food: Leading authorities issues call
Leading agencies have urged commitments to ensuring the availability of healthy food in public settings. The World Health Organization (WHO), Resolve to Save Lives, and Vital Strategies issued the call. A joint release asserted that “public settings, such as schools, childcare centres, nursing homes, hospitals and correctional facilities and all other canteens of public institutions, […]
Child malnutrition: Is India backsliding?
The latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data indicates that child malnutrition remains a major social crisis in India, with the advances made in tackling child malnutrition over the course of recent years coming undone. Results from NFHS-5 paint what Scroll.in aptly describes as “a disconcerting picture.” Multiple states, Scroll.in reports, have seen hard-won gains […]
Trans fats in Government’s crosshairs
The Union Government has trans fats in its sights, as reports indicate the Narendra Modi administration intends to outline regulations this month. Per a report published by The Print, “to reduce incidence of heart ailments, the Narendra Modi government is likely to roll out regulations for limiting trans fatty acids (TFA) or trans fats in […]
World Diabetes Day: India’s growing crisis
Some regard India to be the diabetes capital of the world, its diabetic population outweighing the entire population of some nations. With November 14th marking World Diabetes Day, it provides an opportunity for India to appraise its diabetes crisis. According to the International Diabetes Federation, diabetes affects 8.8 percent of India’s adult population with 72,946,400 […]
Junk food in schools off the menu
Soon, junk food will no longer be sold in schools. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has moved to prohibit the sale of junk food in school canteens against the backdrop of a growing crisis of childhood obesity in the country. By 2030, India is expected to be home to 27 million […]
Maharashtra government in the firing line from experts on health
The Maharashtra government is in the firing line for its performance on health indicator by experts, who claim that the outward appearance of progress belies the truth of the government’s performance. “The last five years tell the story of lost opportunities as far as the health sector is concerned,” said Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (People’s Health […]
India’s growing crisis of obesity
India is battling a full-blown crisis of obesity, one which is anticipated only to worsen in the years to come. More than 135 million Indians are affected by obesity, according to a study published earlier this year. Meanwhile, research indicates that the condition no longer strictly discriminates along class lines. “We found evidence suggesting it […]
CNNS: Malnutrition’s continued burden in India
Malnutrition continues to be a significant public health and development burden in India, impacting the health of the nation’s children in manifold ways – as the Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS) reminds us. Recent Union Health Ministry data, based on the findings of the CNNS which was conducted between 2014 and 2018, found high prevalences […]
State of nutrition: A reality check for India’s worst-performing states
As India observes Poshan Maah – National Nutrition Month – Health Issues India focuses on two Indian states with the worst state of nutrition deficiency in the country. Recently, a journalist was booked by the Uttar Pradesh government for “maligning the image of the state government” after he uncovering uncovered the state government’s ostensible apathy […]