Current Diet and Nutrition in India

India is facing two problems at the same time — undernutrition and overweight. Some children don't get enough nutrients, while others are becoming overweight or obese.

Many people, especially children and teens, show signs of low iron, vitamin A, B12, D, zinc, and folate. These deficiencies can lead to weak health and future diseases.

More than half of all diseases in India are linked to poor diet. Unhealthy eating and not moving enough cause heart problems, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Packaged and fast foods with too much sugar, fat, and salt are becoming more popular and cheaper than healthy foods. Ads and online media make these unhealthy choices more tempting, especially for kids.

Table 1. Nutritional status and serum biomarkers of children aged 1 to 19 years

Category	1–4 years	5–9 years	10–19 years
Anemia (%)	40.6	23.5	27.4
Micronutrient deficiencies
Iron deficiency (%)	32.1	17.0	31.0
Folate deficiency (%)	23.9	17.2	37.0
Vitamin B12 deficiency (%)	13.8	12.5	31.0
Vitamin A deficiency (%)	17.6	16.9	17.6
25 Hydroxy vitamin D (%)	49.4	37.0	36.8
Zinc deficiency (%)	19.0	16.8	18.9
Non-communicable diseases
Overweight (%)	-	3.7	4.9
Obesity (%)	-	1.1	1.9
Pre-Diabetes (%)	-	-	10.1
Diabetes (%)	-	-	0.4
Elevated HbA1c (5.8 ≤ < 6.4%)	-	-	5.3
Elevated HbA1c (≥ 6.4%)	-	-	1.5
High total cholesterol (%)	-	-	8.0
High LDL (%)	-	-	6.4
Low HDL (%)	-	-	20.0
High triglycerides (%)	-	-	7.0
High serum creatinine (%)	-	-	1.0
Hypertension (%)	-	-	4.6

In adults too, the number of people with obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure is increasing. Women tend to have more abdominal obesity than men.

Table 2. Undernutrition, overweight/obesity, hypertension and diabetes in adults (18–69 years)

Nutritional Status / NCDs	Men 2016	Men 2021	Women 2016	Women 2021
Chronic Energy Deficiency	23.8	16.2	23.0	18.7
Overweight / Obesity	21.9	29.2	28.7	24.0
Hypertension	20.2	24.0	15.3	21.3
Diabetes (Type 2)	10.5	15.6	9.7	13.5
Abdominal Obesity	55.5	47.7	63.5	56.7

The ICMR suggests eating a mix of 8 food groups daily — vegetables, fruits, grains, pulses, meat, dairy, oils, and nuts. But most people eat too much cereal (50%–70% of daily energy) and very little pulses and proteins (only 6%–9%).

This poor food variety causes a lack of good proteins, vitamins, and healthy fats. This can lead to insulin problems and lifestyle diseases.

What can help? Eating local, seasonal, and varied foods from all food groups. We need to choose natural, whole foods over packaged ones for a healthy life.