Adolescent obesity prevention

• The seventh edition of Poshan Pakhwada, held last month, highlighted the growing obesity among adolescents.

• The ‘Let’s Fix Our Food’ consortium, a multi-stakeholder initiative, released policy briefs advocating for better food environments for adolescents.

• The Supreme Court gave the Central government a three-month window to finalize and enforce transparent food labelling regulations.

• India is facing a nutrition paradox where under nutrition and obesity coexist, with one of the steepest annual increases in childhood obesity globally.

• Adolescents are among the most vulnerable yet least empowered, with food choices shaped by schools, social media, peer influence, and aggressive marketing.

• Poor nutrition is linked to decreased concentration, lower academic performance, and higher absenteeism, limiting students’ potential.

• A shift in power towards children is imminent to achieve healthy and equitable food systems that prioritize children’s well-being.

• A two-pronged approach is needed: strong regulatory policies that prioritize adolescent health and active youth engagement.

• Fiscal measures such as a health tax on high fat, salt, and sugar, and subsidies for nutrient-rich foods, have proven effective in discouraging consumption of sugar sweetened beverages.

• Schools play a critical role in shaping children’s food environments, and nutrition education in schools and communities can empower the youth to make informed food choices.

• There is a need to enhance food literacy as an essential life skill to equip adolescents to differentiate between healthy and unhealthy food.

• Inter-ministerial coordination is needed to ensure a united front from multiple sectors can advocate for stronger regulatory frameworks.