A new global report has raised concerns about dietary habits in India, highlighting a significant increase in the consumption of unhealthy foods compared to nutritious options. More people in India consume unhealthy foods such as salty or fried snacks, compared to those consuming vegetables, fruits and other micronutrient-rich-foods, the paper said. Global food policy report 2024: Food systems for healthy diets and nutrition was released by International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) on May 29.
As a result of poor diet, 16.6 per cent of the country’s population suffers from malnutrition, the report found. Share of population consuming all five recommended food groups, salty or fried snacks, and no vegetables or fruits, 2021–2022 Source: 2024 Global Food Policy Report At least 38 per cent of the Indian population ate unhealthy foods, while only 28 per cent ate all five recommended food groups, which include at least one starchy staple food, one vegetable, one fruit, one pulse, nut or seed and one animal-source food.
The consumption of such calorie-dense and nutrient-poor foods was not only high but was also increasing, while the consumption of vegetables and other micronutrient-rich foods was low, the paper found. In India and other South Asian countries, consumption of processed foods (chocolates and sugar confectioneries, salty snacks, beverages, ready-made and convenience foods, and breakfast cereals) is on the rise. After cereals and milk, snacks and prepared .
