Relevance: GS II (Social Justice & Health) | Source: The Lancet / The Hindu

1. What is the Big News?

India has received a very serious health warning. We are now number 2 in the world for childhood obesity, right after China.

• The Numbers: Around 1.25 crore (12.5 million) children in India are now dangerously overweight.
• The “Double Burden”: Earlier, our main problem was that poor children were not getting enough food (undernutrition). Today, we have a “Double Burden”—meaning we are fighting both starvation and obesity at the very same time.

2. Why are Children Gaining So Much Weight?

There are three very practical reasons for this:

• The Junk Food Trap: Cheap packet foods like chips, biscuits, and sugary cold drinks are available in every corner shop. Companies heavily advertise these directly to kids using cartoons.
• More Screens, Less Playing: With mobile phones and video games taking over, children spend hours sitting inside. The “screen time” has gone up, and the “green time” (playing outside in parks) has gone down.
• Hidden Sugars: Many parents buy packaged juices or snacks thinking they are “healthy” or “energy-giving”, but they are secretly loaded with high amounts of sugar and salt.

3. What is the Government Doing to Fix This?

To save the health of the next generation, the government has taken a few good steps:

• Eat Right School: The food safety department (FSSAI) has strictly banned the sale of any junk food within 50 meters of a school gate.
• PM-POSHAN Scheme: The old Mid-Day Meal scheme has been upgraded. Instead of just giving basic rice or roti, schools are now focusing on highly nutritious foods like millets, eggs, and local green vegetables.
• Star Ratings on Packets: The government is planning to put a simple “Star Rating” on food packets (just like the energy stars on an AC or fridge). This will help parents easily see if a packet is truly healthy (5 stars) or full of bad sugar (1 star).

4. Why Should the Country Worry?

• Future Sick Workforce: An obese child often grows into an adult with severe diseases like diabetes and heart problems.
• Economic Loss: Treating these lifelong diseases puts a huge financial burden on our government hospitals and reduces the overall working capability of India’s youth.

UPSC Value Box

With reference to public health in India, consider the following statements:

1. The “Double Burden of Malnutrition” means that a country is facing both undernutrition and obesity at the same time.
2. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) works under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
3. The PM-POSHAN scheme aims to give completely packed and processed vitamin food to school children instead of hot-cooked meals.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (b)