Change in Food Habits to Control Diabetes

The ICMR-INDIAB Study reported 62.4 million people with diabetes (>20 years of age) in 2011 & 73 million are estimated for 2018.

Risk factor of common Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) including Diabetes include unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, use of tobacco product and ageing inter-alia. Obesity is one of the important risk factors of diabetes. Excess consumption of calorie dense foods containing high levels of saturated fats, trans-fatty acids, and free sugars and/or salt either alone, or in combination with insufficient physical activity, can contribute to obesity and diabetes, as well as other NCDs.

The Central Government is implementing National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) for interventions upto District level under the National Health Mission. NPCDCS which has focus on awareness generation for behaviour and life-style changes, apart from early diagnosis, treatment and follow up of non-communicable diseases. Population based initiative to prevent, control, screen and manage common NCDs also helps in generating awareness on risk factors of  NCDs. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has taken steps to reduce exposure to HFSS (High Fat, Salt and Sugar) food. FSSAI has notified draft Labelling and Display Regulations on 27.06.2019 whereby packaged food companies are required to declare nutritional information such as calories (energy), saturated fat, trans-fat, added sugar and sodium per serve on the front of the pack. FSSAI has nudged the industry to promote healthier food options and reformulate their products to reduce fat, sugar and sodium. FSSAI has also launched infotainment campaign named ‘Aaj se ThodaKam’ and ‘Transfat elimination’ which focuses on limiting consumption of foods high in Fat, Salt and Sugar and removing trans fat from daily diet.

FSSAI has also taken steps to promote public awareness on safe and healthy eating habits including Eat Right India initiative, Eat right website, video library on Eat Right website with educational films on safe and nutritious food habits, resource books like pink book , yellow book etc.

The Minister of State (Health and Family Welfare), Sh Ashwini Kumar Choubey stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.