CHILD OBESITY IS BECOMING A GRAVE CONCERN TO ACHIEVE SDG 3. WHAT ARE THE NECESSARY MEASURES NEED TO BE TAKEN TO CONTROL THIS ISSUE.

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          India is home to highest number of children with obesity (14.4 Million) according to study by Lancet.

Obesity means presence of excessive body fat which leads to issues like :

1. High risk of heart related issues in future
2. Unfit body disallowing fulfledged physical activity
3. Increased risk of diabetes, Hypertension

Reason for Obesity

1. Lack of awareness on balanced diet. Taking excessive fat, carbohydrates.
2. Junk food - Contain high levels of Transfat, Sugar, Salt. In India FSSAI recommendation is much lower than WHO recommendation
3. Heredity
4. Lack of physical activity - Playing outside, walking etc
5. No emphasis on physical fitness in School
6. Lifestyle changes - Eating processed food

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Given gravity of the phenomenon, We need to take immediate actions like :

1. Policy level changes : Discourage taking Junk food Imposing high tax.
2. Rise awareness about complication. Ex. FSSAI campaign on transfat
3. Make Physical Training mandatory, making timely BMI monitoring part of school routines
4. Parents should ensure balanced diet, physical activity
5. Match levels of permissible salt, Sugar, Transfat levels to WHO standards
6. Research & Development :
Healthy alternatives

          Ensuring healthy lives and promoting the well-being of children is essential to achieve sustainable development (SDG-3).

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