Govt Flags Harmful Oils, Sugars In Kids' Diets, Urges States To Act On Rising Childhood Obesity
The Ministry of Women and Child Development, concerned over the rising prevalence of childhood obesity, has urged all states and Union Territories to take immediate steps to promote healthy dietary practices and physical activity, especially in Anganwadi Centres catering to children under the age of five, News18 has learnt.
The latest advisory, seen by News18, follows fresh data from the government's Poshan Tracker (May 2025), which reveals that 6 per cent of the children enrolled in these centres fall in the overweight or obese category. It flags this as an urgent health risk, warning that early-life obesity could lead to long-term complications such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and even certain cancers.
The ministry states that these trends are 'largely driven by unhealthy diets, reduced physical activity and bad lifestyle". The advisory stresses the need for course correction by improving the nutritional quality of Take Home Rations (THR) and Hot Cooked Meals (HCM), and by creating an environment that enables healthier choices for young children and their caregivers.
What kind of food should be served?
According to the advisory dated July 11, the intake of visible fat or cooking oil should not exceed 27–30 grams per day. It also warns that saturated fat intake must be limited to less than 10 per cent of total energy intake, given its role in increasing the risk of heart diseases and stroke. Foods rich in saturated fats—such as butter, ghee, lard, palm oil and coconut oil—should be used with caution.
More strongly, the ministry urges complete avoidance of trans fats, commonly found in vanaspati, margarine, fried snacks, and bakery products. 'Trans-fats are harmful and should be avoided," the document states, adding that their consumption is linked to a heightened risk of heart disease, diabetes, breast cancer, and vision and nervous system disorders in infants.
The advisory also discourages the use of reheated oil, citing that repeated heating generates harmful oxidative compounds that may elevate the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Instead, it suggests filtering used oil for limited reuse in curries, while strictly avoiding it for frying again.
How to make people aware?
To reinforce these recommendations and build public awareness, the ministry has suggested several activities to be undertaken at the state, district, and Anganwadi level. It has called for the installation and display of 'Oil and Sugar" awareness boards at Anganwadi Centres and public institutions to create visual nudges about consumption limits.
Departments have also been advised to integrate health messages about hidden sugars and fats in common foods on official stationery, ensuring that communication at every level carries a reminder for healthier choices. Officials and frontline workers are to be encouraged to adopt healthy workplace habits, such as consuming fruit-based snacks or engaging in regular movement during the workday, to lead by example within their communities.
These measures, the ministry notes, are in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for a 'fitter and healthier India" and are expected to significantly improve nutritional outcomes while helping to combat obesity and associated non-communicable diseases.
The advisory recommends a focus on discouraging the consumption of high-fat and sugary food items in daily diets, especially among children. Instead, Anganwadi staff and caregivers are to be encouraged to offer nutritious alternatives—such as boiled chana, fruits, or home-cooked low-oil snacks—that can easily replace fried and sugar-laden options.
The ministry, in the document, also calls for the reinforcement of daily lifestyle reminders at the community level, using the Poshan Tracker app and other platforms to promote regular physical activity and awareness of diet.
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First Published:
July 14, 2025, 15:52 IST
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