Economic Survey 2025-26 flags ultra-processed foods as key driver of India’s obesity crisis

Rising consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) is emerging as a major public health challenge in India, which is leading to the country’s growing burden of obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), according to the Economic Survey 2025-26.

Nearly one in four Indian adults is now obese. About 24% of women and 23% of men fall into this category. Among women aged 15-49 years, 6.4% are obese, while obesity prevalence among men in the same age group stands at 4%, The Economic Survey said citing data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2019-21.

Survey noted that the trend is more concerning among children. The prevalence of excess weight among children under five years has increased from 2.1% in 2015-16 to 3.4% in 2019-21. Estimates suggest that over 3.3 crore children in India were obese in 2020, a number projected to surge to 8.3 crore by 2035 if current trends continue.

Major reason behind the surge in obesity is sharp rise in ultra-processed food consumption. India is among the fastest-growing markets for UPFs globally, with sales expanding by more than 150% between 2009 and 2023. Retail sales of UPFs jumped nearly 40-fold from $0.9 billion in 2006 to about $38 billion in 2019. This period also coincides with a near doubling of obesity rates for both men and women, Economic Survey said.

UPFs, which include packaged snacks, sugary beverages, ready-to-eat meals and health drinks, are increasingly displacing traditional diets. The Survey notes that UPFs worsen overall diet quality and are strongly linked to higher risks of diseases like obesity, cardiovascular ailments, diabetes, respiratory problems and mental health disorders.

The Survey calls for dietary reforms to be treated as a national public health priority, at par with other strategies for preventing non-communicable diseases. It stresses on promotion of domestically grown food, traditional diets and indigenous cooking practices.

Recognising the influence of digital platforms, the Survey suggests leveraging social media and influencers to spread culturally relevant messages on nutrition and healthy lifestyles. Schools, it says, should play a central role in shaping healthy habits early in life.

Evidence from global studies shows that school-based interventions, especially those involving trained teachers and active parental participation, are effective in preventing childhood obesity.