Question : Obesity

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that the incidence of obesity is increasing among not only middle-aged persons, but also among the youth in urban areas and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government is planning to formulate any policy or guidelines to tackle the increasing incidence of obesity among the urban population and if so, details thereof;

(c) whether any measures have been taken by the Government to put in place any health policy to tackle obesity among children and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether there has been reports of violations of the regulations in the food industry by some food companies, soft drinks companies etc., if so, the details of such incidents reported during the last three years in the country; and

(e) the stringent action taken against the agencies which violated the rules?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)
(a) to (c): National Family Health Survey data shows that there is increase in obesity in the age group 15-49 years in India.

Male Female
NFHS 3 (2005-06) 9.3% 12.6%
NFHS 4 (2015-16 18.6% 20.7%

While Health is a State Subject, the Government of India is implementing National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular diseases and stroke (NPCDCS) for interventions up to District level under the National Health Mission(NHM). NPCDCS has a focus on awareness generation for behaviour and life style changes, screening and early diagnosis of persons with high level of risk factors including obesity and their referral to higher facilities for appropriate management of non-communicable diseases.

India is the first country globally to adopt the NCD Global Monitoring Framework and Action Plan to its National Context. The framework elements include halting the rise in obesity and diabetes prevalence.

Rastriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) under NHM aims to improve the overall quality of life of children and provide comprehensive care to all the children in the community including school children. The Government of India has also launched Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK), for adolescents in the age group of 10-19 years, which also targets their nutrition including Body Mass Index (BMI) Screening, reproductive health and substance abuse among other issues.

Further, for early diagnosis, population level initiative for prevention, control and screening for common Non- Communicable Diseases (diabetes, hypertension and cancer viz. oral, breast and cervical cancer) has been rolled out in over 200 districts of the country under NHM, as a part of comprehensive primary healthcare. Under this initiative, services of frontline health workers and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) are being used for risk profiling and screening of population. This will generate awareness on risk factors of NCDs as well.

A National Multisectoral Action Plan has been developed in consultation with 39 Departments of Union Government. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched Eat Right India movement to promote healthy diet. Print, electronic and social media are used to promote healthy living and to generate awareness on risk factors of NCDs.

ICMR-NIN is making Nutrition Education Videos for Adolescent girls on Healthy Food habits as a part of Poshan Abhiyan.

(d) & (e): There have been instances of violation of provisions of Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006, Rules and Regulations made therunder. As implementation and enforcement of provisions of FSS Act, Rules and Regulations primarily lies with State/UT Governments, the state food authorities have been advised from time to time to keep a strict vigil by regularly drawing food samples from all sources viz. manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers and to take strict action against the offenders. In cases where samples are found to be non-conforming , penal action is taken against the defaulting Food Business Operators (FBOs) under the provisions of FSS Act.
As per the information received from States/UT Governments, the details of samples analysed, tested, found non-conforming and action taken during the last three years in respect of all food articles, including soft/energy drinks is at Annexure.