{"id":36974,"date":"2025-03-01T16:28:14","date_gmt":"2025-03-01T16:28:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mavericknews30.com\/?p=36974"},"modified":"2025-03-01T16:28:14","modified_gmt":"2025-03-01T16:28:14","slug":"towards-a-fit-and-healthy-india-combating-obesity-through-collective-action","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mavericknews30.com\/?p=36974","title":{"rendered":"Towards a Fit and Healthy India: Combating Obesity Through Collective Action"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-right\" data-align=\"right\"><strong>\u201cBy making small changes in our food habits, we can make our future stronger, fitter and disease-free.\u201d<\/strong><strong>Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><u>Introduction<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Obesity has become a major public health challenge in India, affecting people across all age groups and increasing the risk of&nbsp;<strong>non-communicable diseases (NCDs)<\/strong>&nbsp;such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. Driven by&nbsp;<strong>unhealthy diets, sedentary lifestyles, and environmental factors<\/strong>, obesity is rising at an alarming rate, impacting both urban and rural populations. The shift towards&nbsp;<strong>processed foods, reduced physical activity, and lifestyle changes<\/strong>&nbsp;has further contributed to this growing crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Recognizing the urgency of this issue,&nbsp;<strong>Prime Minister Narendra Modi<\/strong>, in his recent&nbsp;<strong>Mann Ki Baat<\/strong>&nbsp;address, emphasized the need for nationwide awareness and collective action to reduce obesity, particularly through lower edible oil consumption. He nominated prominent individuals across India to lead an awareness movement. This call for&nbsp;<strong>collective action<\/strong>&nbsp;highlights the importance of tackling obesity at both individual and community levels, reinforcing the need for a&nbsp;<strong>fitter and healthier India<\/strong>. The&nbsp;<strong>Government of India<\/strong>&nbsp;has launched several initiatives, including the&nbsp;<strong>Fit India Movement, NP-NCD, POSHAN Abhiyaan, Eat Right India, and Khelo India<\/strong>, to promote&nbsp;<strong>healthier lifestyles, better nutrition, and physical activity<\/strong>. These programs aim to encourage long-term behavioural change, ensuring a healthier future for all. As India moves towards&nbsp;<strong>Amrit Kaal<\/strong>, a&nbsp;<strong>whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach<\/strong>&nbsp;is being adopted to tackle obesity through&nbsp;<strong>policy reforms, community engagement, and regulatory measures<\/strong>. Strengthening&nbsp;<strong>public health systems, promoting sustainable food habits, and increasing awareness<\/strong>&nbsp;are key to reversing this trend and safeguarding future generations from obesity-related health risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><u>Understanding Obesity: Definition and Causes<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><u>What is Obesity?<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the&nbsp;<strong>World Health Organization (WHO)<\/strong>, obesity is defined as an&nbsp;<strong>abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health<\/strong>. The commonly used metric to classify obesity is&nbsp;<strong>Body Mass Index (BMI)<\/strong>, where a BMI of&nbsp;<strong>25 or above<\/strong>&nbsp;is considered overweight, and a BMI of&nbsp;<strong>30 or above<\/strong>&nbsp;is classified as obese. In India, a person is considered&nbsp;<strong>overweight<\/strong>&nbsp;if their&nbsp;<strong>Body Mass Index (BMI)<\/strong>&nbsp;is between&nbsp;<strong>23.0 and 24.9 kg\/m\u00b2<\/strong>, and&nbsp;<strong>obese<\/strong>&nbsp;if their BMI is&nbsp;<strong>25 kg\/m\u00b2 or higher<\/strong>.&nbsp;<strong>Morbid obesity<\/strong>&nbsp;occurs when a person\u2019s&nbsp;<strong>BMI is 35 or more<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><u>What is BMI?<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Body Mass Index (BMI<\/strong>), previously known as the&nbsp;<strong>Quetelet index<\/strong>, is a simple way to check if an adult has a healthy weight. It is calculated by dividing a person&#8217;s weight in kilograms by their height in meters squared (kg\/m\u00b2). To find BMI, take a person\u2019s&nbsp;<strong>weight (kg)<\/strong>&nbsp;and divide it by their&nbsp;<strong>height (m) squared<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Healthy BMI Range<\/strong><br>A normal BMI falls between&nbsp;<strong>18.5&nbsp;<\/strong>and<strong>&nbsp;24.9<\/strong>, based on the&nbsp;<strong>World Health Organization (WHO)<\/strong>&nbsp;guidelines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><u>Global Statistics<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The prevalence of overweight and obesity has been rising steadily among both adults and children worldwide. Between&nbsp;<strong>1990 and 2022<\/strong>, the percentage of children and adolescents&nbsp;<strong>(aged 5\u201319 years)<\/strong>&nbsp;with obesity increased fourfold, from&nbsp;<strong>2% to 8%.<\/strong>&nbsp;During the same period, the proportion of adults&nbsp;<strong>(aged 18 and older)<\/strong>&nbsp;with obesity more than doubled, rising from&nbsp;<strong>7% to 16%<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><u>India\u2019s Obesity Statistics<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>As per the\u00a0<strong>National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-5 (2019-21),\u00a0<\/strong>overall,<strong>\u00a024% of Indian women and 23% of Indian men\u00a0<\/strong>are overweight or obese<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>As per the\u00a0<strong>NFHS-5, (2019-2021)\u00a0<\/strong>in the category of ages\u00a0<strong>15-49 years<\/strong>,\u00a0<strong>6.4 %<\/strong>\u00a0of women and\u00a0<strong>4.0<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>%<\/strong>\u00a0of men, are obese.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There has also been an increase in the percentage of children\u00a0<strong>under 5 years<\/strong>\u00a0who are\u00a0<strong>overweight\u00a0<\/strong>(weight-for-height) from\u00a0<strong>2.1 percent<\/strong>\u00a0in\u00a0<strong>NFHS-4 (2015-16)<\/strong>\u00a0to\u00a0<strong>3.4 percent in NFHS-5 (2019-21)<\/strong>\u00a0at All-India level.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><u>Key Factors Driving the Rise of Obesity in India<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.pib.gov.in\/WriteReadData\/userfiles\/image\/image003LAQN.png\" alt=\"\" style=\"width:497px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong><u>Government of India&#8217;s Strategic Framework for Obesity Prevention<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><u>Policy Innovations and Measurable Outcomes<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Recognizing obesity as a&nbsp;<strong>critical public health concern<\/strong>, the Government of India has launched&nbsp;<strong>comprehensive, multi-pronged initiatives<\/strong>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<strong>prevent, manage, and reduce obesity<\/strong>&nbsp;at all levels. The interventions are strategically designed by&nbsp;<strong>multiple ministries<\/strong>&nbsp;to promote a&nbsp;<strong>holistic approach<\/strong>&nbsp;that integrates&nbsp;<strong>health, nutrition, physical activity, food safety, and lifestyle modifications<\/strong>. These efforts can be categorized under the following&nbsp;<strong>key intervention areas<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) &#8211; Strengthening Public Health Responses<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1.1 National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD)&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In India,&nbsp;<strong>non-communicable diseases (NCDs)<\/strong>&nbsp;cause&nbsp;<strong>63% of all deaths<\/strong>, according to&nbsp;<strong>WHO\u2019s 2018 &#8211; NCD India<\/strong>&nbsp;profile. The leading causes are cardiovascular diseases (27%), followed by chronic respiratory diseases (11%), cancers (9%), diabetes (3%), and other conditions, including obesity (13%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Non-communicable diseases (NCDs)<\/strong>&nbsp;such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases are largely driven by modifiable lifestyle factors, including tobacco use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and alcohol consumption. Air pollution further increases the risk. These factors contribute to&nbsp;<strong>obesity, high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, and raised cholesterol levels<\/strong>, all of which significantly increase the likelihood of developing NCDs. Since many of these risk factors are preventable,&nbsp;<strong>addressing obesity and unhealthy habits<\/strong>&nbsp;can play a crucial role in&nbsp;<strong>reducing the burden of NCDs<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Department of Health and Family Welfare under the&nbsp;<strong>National Programme for Prevention and Control of&nbsp;<\/strong>Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)&nbsp;<strong>(NP-NCD)&nbsp;<\/strong>through the&nbsp;<strong>National Health Mission (NHM<\/strong>), aims to promote health through behaviour change&nbsp;<strong>by engaging communities, civil society, media, and development partners<\/strong>. It focuses on&nbsp;<strong>screening, early diagnosis, management, referral, and follow-up at all healthcare levels<\/strong>&nbsp;to ensure continuous care. The program also strengthens the capacity of healthcare providers for&nbsp;<strong>prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, awareness (IEC\/BCC), monitoring, and research<\/strong>. Additionally, it enhances supply chain management for essential drugs, equipment, and logistics while ensuring effective supervision, evaluation, and nationwide implementation through a uniform ICT system.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.pib.gov.in\/WriteReadData\/userfiles\/image\/image004NZ0E.png\" alt=\"\" style=\"width:372px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong><u>Mortality due to Non Communicable Diseases in India<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><u>Key Components<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Facilities Established Under NPCDCS<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<strong>682 District NCD Clinics<\/strong><strong>,\u00a0191 District Cardiac Care Units,\u00a05,408 CHC NCD Clinics.<\/strong><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Preventive Care &amp; Awareness<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Implemented through\u00a0<strong>Ayushman Bharat HWCs<\/strong>\u00a0with\u00a0<strong>wellness activities &amp; community outreach<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2. Ministry of AYUSH: Promoting Traditional &amp; Holistic Wellness Practices<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Ministry of Ayush has implemented several initiatives to address obesity and promote effective weight management through Ayurveda:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><u>Specialized Ayurvedic Care<\/u><\/strong>:\u00a0The\u00a0<strong>All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA)<\/strong>\u00a0in New Delhi offers specialized treatments for obesity and related lifestyle disorders. These treatments combine\u00a0<strong><em>Panchakarma therapies<\/em><\/strong>, Ayurvedic medications, personalized dietary guidelines, and yoga therapy. To date, approximately 45,000 patients with diabetes and metabolic disorders have benefited from these services.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.pib.gov.in\/WriteReadData\/userfiles\/image\/image005X7V6.jpg\" alt=\"\" style=\"width:410px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ol start=\"2\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><u>Research and Evidence Generation<\/u><\/strong>: The\u00a0<strong>Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS)<\/strong>\u00a0conducts research to validate the safety and efficacy of Ayurvedic interventions for lifestyle disorders, including obesity. Studies have demonstrated that practices such as\u00a0<strong><em>Dincharya (daily regimen),<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<strong><em>Ritucharya (seasonal regimen), Ahara (dietary guidelines),<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0and Yoga are effective in maintaining overall health and preventing conditions like obesity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><u>Ayurswasthya Yojana<\/u><\/strong>:\u00a0This\u00a0<strong>Central Sector Scheme<\/strong>, operational since\u00a0<strong>FY 2021-22<\/strong>, includes the\u00a0<strong>&#8216;Ayush and Public Health&#8217;<\/strong>\u00a0component aimed at promoting AYUSH interventions in community healthcare. The scheme supports projects focused on managing lifestyle disorders and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with 11 projects currently addressing issues such as\u00a0<strong>obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and osteoporosis.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><u>Collaborative Research Efforts<\/u><\/strong>: The Ministry has partnered with the\u00a0<strong>Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)<\/strong>\u00a0to enhance scientific research in Ayurveda. This collaboration focuses on developing and implementing research programs that integrate traditional Ayurvedic knowledge with modern science, particularly in managing lifestyle disorders like obesity.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Through these comprehensive measures, the Ministry of Ayush is actively contributing to the prevention and management of obesity, promoting a holistic approach to health and well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3.&nbsp;<u>Ministry of Women and Child Development:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><u>POSHAN Abhiyaan : Preventing Childhood Obesity<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>POSHAN Abhiyaan<\/strong>, launched on&nbsp;<strong>8th March 2018<\/strong>, is the Government of India\u2019s flagship initiative for holistic nourishment. It aims to improve nutritional outcomes for&nbsp;<strong>children, adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers&nbsp;<\/strong>by fostering a convergent ecosystem that enhances nutrition content, delivery, and awareness to combat malnutrition and promote overall wellness.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.pib.gov.in\/WriteReadData\/userfiles\/image\/image006T4AQ.jpg\" alt=\"\" style=\"width:379px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong><u>Key Components of POSHAN Abhiyaan &amp; Poshan 2.0<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>POSHAN Abhiyaan adopts a&nbsp;<strong>holistic approach<\/strong>&nbsp;to tackle malnutrition through&nbsp;<strong>technology-driven monitoring<\/strong>,&nbsp;<strong>multi-ministerial collaboration<\/strong>, and&nbsp;<strong>community engagement<\/strong>&nbsp;under the&nbsp;<strong>Jan Andolan Movement<\/strong>. It promotes&nbsp;<strong>Poshan Vatikas (Nutri-Gardens)<\/strong>&nbsp;for homegrown nutrition, strengthens&nbsp;<strong>Anganwadi services and adolescent health<\/strong>&nbsp;under&nbsp;<strong>Mission Saksham Anganwadi &amp; Poshan 2.0 (2021)<\/strong>, and integrates&nbsp;<strong>AYUSH-based wellness<\/strong>&nbsp;practices. The program emphasizes&nbsp;<strong>maternal and child nutrition<\/strong>,&nbsp;<strong>dietary diversity<\/strong>, and&nbsp;<strong>food fortification<\/strong>, encouraging&nbsp;<strong>millet consumption and nutrient-rich diets<\/strong>&nbsp;to combat anemia and deficiencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>4. Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports: Fostering a Culture of Physical Fitness<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><u>4.1 Fit India Movement: A Mass Fitness Revolution&nbsp;<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Launched by PM Narendra Modi in 2019<\/strong>, the\u00a0<strong>Fit India Movement<\/strong>\u00a0promotes\u00a0<strong>active lifestyles<\/strong>\u00a0and encourages individuals to\u00a0<strong>incorporate fitness into daily routines<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key Components:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Fit India School Certification<\/strong>\u00a0for schools incorporating physical activity in their curriculum.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fit India Sundays on Cycle<\/strong>\u00a0initiative promoting cycling and walking in urban spaces\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.pib.gov.in\/WriteReadData\/userfiles\/image\/image007THLZ.jpg\" alt=\"\" style=\"width:375px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong><u>Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, inaugurated the \u2018Fit India Cycling Drive\u2019<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Community-led fitness programs<\/strong>\u00a0such as mass yoga sessions, running clubs, and workplace fitness challenges.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><u>4.2 Khelo India Programme: Building an Active Generation<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.pib.gov.in\/WriteReadData\/userfiles\/image\/image0080S13.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;<strong>Khelo India \u2013 National Programme for Development of Sports<\/strong>&nbsp;was launched in&nbsp;<strong>2016-17<\/strong>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<strong>promote sports participation<\/strong>&nbsp;at all levels, from schools to elite competitions, by fostering a culture of athletic excellence across the country. It focuses on&nbsp;<strong>providing top-notch training and world-class infrastructure<\/strong>&nbsp;to young athletes, ensuring they receive the necessary resources to excel in their respective sports. The scheme ensures equal sports opportunities across rural and urban India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><u>Major Achievements:<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.pib.gov.in\/WriteReadData\/userfiles\/image\/image0094JY1.jpg\" alt=\"\" style=\"width:381px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>5.&nbsp;<u>Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI): Regulating Food for Public Health<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>5.1 Eat Right India Movement (FSSAI): Reforming Food Choices for a Healthier Future&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;<strong><em>Eat Right India<\/em>&nbsp;<\/strong>movement, initiated by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), encompasses several key initiatives aimed at ensuring safe, healthy, and sustainable food for all. Below are the primary initiatives:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.pib.gov.in\/WriteReadData\/userfiles\/image\/image010IYXA.png\" alt=\"\" style=\"width:435px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong><u>Key Initiatives of Eat Right India<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><u>Supply-Side Initiatives:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC):<\/strong>\u00a0The Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC) certificate is issued by FSSAI, certifying food safety supervisors in every food business.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Certification Programs:<\/strong>\u00a0Ensures hygiene in street food hubs, markets, stations, and places of worship.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Hygiene Rating:<\/strong>\u00a0Rates restaurants, catering services, sweet shops, and meat vendors on hygiene standards.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><u>Demand-Side Initiatives:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Consumer Awareness:<\/strong>\u00a0Promotes food safety through Eat Right Campus &amp; Eat Right School programs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Adulteration Detection:<\/strong>\u00a0Provides\u00a0<strong>DART Book &amp; Magic Box\u00a0<\/strong>for home and school food testing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong><u>Food Safety DART Book<\/u><\/strong><strong>&nbsp;&#8211;<\/strong>&nbsp;The Detect Adulteration with Rapid Test (DART) booklet provides over 50 easy household tests to detect food adulteration using simple solutions. Freely downloadable for public awareness, it cannot be used for commercial purposes or imply FSSAI endorsement.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong><u>Food Safety Magic Box&nbsp;<\/u><\/strong><strong>&#8211;&nbsp;<\/strong>FSSAI&#8217;s Food Safety Magic Box-Companion Book is a learning tool for schools, teachers, and parents, featuring 102 simple tests to detect food adulterants, along with a companion guidebook.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.pib.gov.in\/WriteReadData\/userfiles\/image\/image011CQXX.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.pib.gov.in\/WriteReadData\/userfiles\/image\/image012NSPE.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong><u>FOOD SAFETY-MAGIC BOX<\/u>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<u>FOOD SAFETY &#8211; DART BOOK<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Mobile Testing:<\/strong>\u00a0Deploys\u00a0<em>Food Safety on Wheels<\/em>\u00a0for remote-area testing &amp; training.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Food Fortification:<\/strong>\u00a0Promotes fortified staples to tackle micronutrient deficiencies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;<strong>Food Safety &amp; Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)<\/strong>&nbsp;plays a pivotal role in&nbsp;<strong>guiding public dietary choices and regulating food safety standards<\/strong>&nbsp;to combat obesity and lifestyle-related diseases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>5.2 Nationwide Awareness Campaign \u2013 \u2018<em>Aaj Se Thoda Kam\u2019<\/em><\/strong><br>To encourage healthier eating habits, FSSAI launched the&nbsp;<strong>\u2018Aaj Se Thoda Kam\u2019<\/strong>&nbsp;campaign, urging consumers to gradually&nbsp;<strong>reduce their intake of fat, sugar, and salt<\/strong>. This multimedia campaign includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Short educational videos<\/strong>\u00a0with subtitles in\u00a0<strong>12 languages<\/strong>\u00a0to reach a diverse audience.\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Flyers, banners, and audio clips<\/strong>\u00a0reinforcing the message of mindful eating.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A dedicated\u00a0<strong>\u2018Eat Right India\u2019 website<\/strong>, offering valuable resources for making informed dietary changes.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.pib.gov.in\/WriteReadData\/userfiles\/image\/image0136UM3.jpg\" alt=\"\" style=\"width:304px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong><u>5.3 Regulating High Fat, Salt, and Sugar (HFSS) Foods<\/u><\/strong><br>FSSAI, in collaboration with the&nbsp;<strong>ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (NIN)<\/strong>, has recommended&nbsp;<strong>mandatory labeling of High Fat, Salt, and Sugar (HFSS) foods<\/strong>. This initiative aims to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Ensure clear front-of-pack labeling<\/strong>\u00a0on ready-to-eat foods.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Help consumers make informed choices<\/strong>\u00a0and moderate their intake of unhealthy foods.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><u>5.4 Multi-Platform Public Awareness Initiatives<\/u><\/strong><br>The Government, with&nbsp;<strong>FSSAI\u2019s leadership<\/strong>, has been actively spreading awareness through:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>a. Print, electronic, and social media campaigns<\/strong>&nbsp;educating the public on healthier food choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>b. Integration with the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Stroke (NPCDCS)<\/strong>, which supports&nbsp;<strong>state-level awareness activities<\/strong>&nbsp;on obesity prevention and healthy living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><u>5.5 RUCO Initiative<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.pib.gov.in\/WriteReadData\/userfiles\/image\/image014V738.jpg\" alt=\"\" style=\"width:330px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>FSSAI&#8217;s&nbsp;<strong>RUCO (Repurpose Used Cooking Oil)<\/strong>&nbsp;initiative ensures that used cooking oil is not re-entered into the food chain but is safely repurposed. When oil is repeatedly used for frying, harmful&nbsp;<strong>Total Polar Compounds (TPC)<\/strong>&nbsp;form, increasing the risk of diseases like hypertension, atherosclerosis, and liver disorders. To protect public health, FSSAI has set a&nbsp;<strong>25% TPC limit<\/strong>&nbsp;beyond which oil must not be used. Under the&nbsp;<strong>EEE Strategy (Education, Enforcement, Ecosystem)<\/strong>, used cooking oil is collected by aggregators from food businesses and redirected for biodiesel or soap production, promoting health, energy security, and environmental sustainability.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><u>Conclusion<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Obesity is a pressing public health challenge in India, but the nation is actively addressing it through a&nbsp;<strong>comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach<\/strong>. Under the leadership of&nbsp;<strong>Prime Minister Narendra Modi<\/strong>, the Government of India has launched strategic interventions integrating&nbsp;<strong>health, nutrition, fitness, and regulatory measures<\/strong>. Initiatives such as the&nbsp;<strong>Fit India Movement, NP-NCD, POSHAN Abhiyaan, Eat Right India, and Khelo India<\/strong>&nbsp;are fostering a culture of&nbsp;<strong>health consciousness, preventive care, and active living<\/strong>. As India moves towards&nbsp;<strong>Amrit Kaal<\/strong>, the vision of a&nbsp;<strong>Fit and Healthy India<\/strong>&nbsp;is becoming a reality. With&nbsp;<strong>sustained commitment, cross-sector collaboration, and active citizen participation<\/strong>, the country is well-positioned to reverse obesity trends and safeguard future generations. By prioritizing awareness, lifestyle changes, and policy-driven action, India can set a global example in tackling obesity\u2014building a nation that thrives on wellness, vitality, and holistic well-being.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cBy making small changes in our food habits, we can make our future stronger, fitter and disease-free.\u201dPrime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi Introduction Obesity has become a major public health challenge in India, affecting people across all age groups and increasing the risk of&nbsp;non-communicable diseases (NCDs)&nbsp;such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. Driven by&nbsp;unhealthy diets, sedentary &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":36975,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[69],"tags":[88],"post_format":[],"flags":[],"class_list":["post-36974","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports-news","tag-sports"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mavericknews30.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36974","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mavericknews30.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mavericknews30.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mavericknews30.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mavericknews30.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=36974"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mavericknews30.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36974\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":36976,"href":"https:\/\/mavericknews30.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36974\/revisions\/36976"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mavericknews30.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/36975"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mavericknews30.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=36974"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mavericknews30.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=36974"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mavericknews30.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=36974"},{"taxonomy":"post_format","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mavericknews30.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fpost_format&post=36974"},{"taxonomy":"flags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mavericknews30.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fflags&post=36974"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}