Question : OBESITY AMONG CHILDREN



(a) whether the Government has taken note of high prevalence of obesity among children in the country;

(b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto; and

(c) the corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard?

Answer given by the minister


THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI SUDIP BANDYOPADHYAY)

(a)to (c) As per National Family Health Survey (NFHS) III, very few children under five years of age are overweight. However there are some studies among urban school children showing a rising trend in obesity.

In order to address the issue of appropriate and balanced nutrition, village health and nutrition days are conducted every month in each village where nutritional counselling of women and children is carried out to generate awareness about balanced diet and dietary diversification. Village health and sanitation committees have also been renamed as village health, sanitation and nutrition committee to address the issues related to nutrition.