Non-communicable diseases account for over 60% deaths in India, with cardiovascular diseases being the leading cause. The trend is attributed to excessive salt consumption.
The proportion of deaths due to such diseases increased to 61.8% in 2016 from 37.9% in 1990. Experts emphasise the need for diet plans tailored to Indian habits & lifestyle.
Guidelines also advise restricting meal frequency to 2-3 times a day & to avoid ultra-processed foods or those high in fat, sugar & salt. Last such rules were released in 2011.
Report by Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest (NAPi), titled ‘THE JUNK PUSH: Rising Ultra-processed Food Consumption in India - Policy, Politics and Reality’, released Friday.
Results of the study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology show prevalence of generalised obesity & abdominal obesity in India stood at 28.6 and 39.5% between 2008 and 2020.
Nutrition experts have urged govt to introduce a bill to define ‘healthy foods’, citing rising incidence of lifestyle diseases in India, in a letter to health ministry last week.
A study published in IJMR says routine treatment of non-communicable diseases was hindered due to the pandemic and patients in urban areas faced more difficulty than those in rural areas.
Finance ministry says the proposed revamp will focus on structural reforms, rate rationalisation & ease of living, & will be deliberated upon in the coming weeks.
The project is meant to be a ‘protective shield that will keep expanding’, the PM said. It is on the lines of the ‘Golden Dome’ announced by Trump, it is learnt.
Standing up to America is usually not a personal risk for a leader in India. Any suggestions of foreign pressure unites India behind who they see as leading them in that fight.
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