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GOVERNMENTOFINDIA
MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH RESEARCH
RAJYASABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 2041
TOBE ANSWERED ON10TH MARCH, 2026
QUALITYOFINDIAN DIETS
2041.SHRISANJAYKUMAR JHA:
Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate:
(a) whether it is a fact that a credible study has found that Indian diets are characterized by high
intakes of low-quality carbohydrates, high levels of saturated fat and low intakes of protein that are
associated with analarming rise incardiometabolicdisease;
(b) if so, whether a policy intervention exists to curtail the consumption of such unhealthy diet;
and
(c) if not, whether the Ministry would formulate a policy to ensure that the Indian diet compares
tothe globalbenchmarksin nutritiousdiets?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
(SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV)
(a): Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has informed that India Diabetes
(ICMR–INDIAB) study- a national cross-sectional survey of over 18,000 adults conducted from
November 2008 to December 2020, reported that the Indian dietary profile is dominated by
carbohydrates (refined rice, wheat, and added sugars) which contribute to approx. 60–70% of total
daily energy intake. The study specifically linked this pattern with high saturated fat and low protein
to a significantly higher risk of Type 2 Diabetes, abdominal obesity, and other cardiometabolic
conditions.
(b) and(c): The Ministry of Health andFamily Welfare implements Reproductive,Maternal, New
born, Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) strategy in a life cycle approach under
National Health Mission (NHM), which includes interventions to address nutrition among children
includingobesity across the country, asplacedbelow:
i. Eat Right Movement launched by Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) aims to
engage and enable citizens including children to improve their health and wellbeing by eatinghealthy and nutritious foods and creates public awareness that regular and excessive consumption of
foods highinsalt, sugar andfat leadstoobesity.
ii. The Government of India focuses on health promotion and awareness generation through
countrywide movements like ‘Fit India Movement’ where people are encouraged to remain healthy
andfit.·
iii. The following activities for healthy living including physical activities are also promoted through
the National Programme for PreventionandControl of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD):
a) Promotion of wellness activities and targeted communications at the community level are
undertaken under the Comprehensive Primary Health Care through Ayushman Aarogya Mandir
(AAM).
b) Yogarelated activitiesare carriedout by the Ministry of AYUSH.
c) Financial support for awareness generation activities (IEC) through print, electronic and social
media underNP-NCD.
d) Health Melas are organized at each AAM to generate awareness about healthy lifestyles. Under
the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK), the Government implements preventive,
promotive and curative interventions to improve the health and well-being of adolescents in the age
group of 10–19years.
e) Under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), a national child health screening
programme is implemented for early detection and free treatment of health conditions among
childrenfrom birthto18years.
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