MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)
(a) & (b): Yes. WHO has estimated that in 2010 more than 42 million children under the age of five years
are overweight or obese throughout the world due to unhealthy diets of whom nearly 35 million are living
in developing countries.
(c) & (d): WHO has recommended that the policy aim should be to reduce the impact of marketing of foods high
in saturated fats, trans-fatty acids, free sugars or salt on children. In order to achieve this aim, step-wise
or comprehensive approaches are to be considered by member states. All stake holders in the development of
policy must make earnest attempts to free the zones, where children gather, from all forms of marketing of
such foods. Member states should discourage cross - border marketing of high saturated foods. An effective
monitoring system should be put in place to ensure compliance. The policy framework should include a system
for evaluation in order to study the impact and effectiveness of the policy.
(e): The Government has written to Health Ministers of all States & UTs & Ministry of Human Resource
Development to consider issuing instructions for withdrawing of junk food/fast food and carbonated
drinks from school and colleges.
Further, under the School Health Programme, Health education sessions and counseling on nutrition are given
to cultivate healthy eating habits, to encourage physical activity and to promote consumption of balanced
diet in order to prevent both under-nutrition and obesity in students.
