A child called Frooti, and the problem of ultra processed food

I visited Gadchiroli a few years ago on a speaking assignment. I was addressing the social worker community at Dr. Rani and Abhay Bang’s organisation. Amongst many things that I carry back are the names of two tribal girls — Frooti and Selfie.
One tends to think that people in rural areas inhabit a different planet from those in metros but that’s not really the case as far as penetration of junk food products — colas, chips, chocolates (and now even clicks on smartphones) — go.And so, the recently released ICMR-NIN guidelines on healthy eating that ask people to avoid eating ultra-processed foods (UPFs) is a step in the right direction. UPFs and their detrimental effects on both people and the planet are well documented. Global scientific communities are asking for warning labels on UPFs like those on cigarettes. But those are hard to come by, especially in developing economies where industries habitually push back any kind of regulation. And probably that’s why the ICMR, in its latest guidelines, asks you to read food labels and make informed choices. What does this really mean for a child though who lives in an obesogenic environment?
The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD 2021) shows that from 2000 to 2021 there has been an almost 50% increase in DALYs (disability-adjusted life years), basically years spent in poor health. Most of this has been caused by non-communicable diseases such as obesity, high blood sugar and blood pressure in the 15-49 age group. One may be tempted to call these lifestyle disorders, the diseases that one gets because of one’s own negligence, lack of discipline and willpower. Or we can acknowledge that there is data to show that when policies that prioritise health are in place, these risks can be mitigated.One example of this is Chile which, in 2016, introduced front-of-label octagonal black warning labels on all UPFs. It does not allow advertisements of junk food on TV programs that are directed at kids. It was a response to the fact that half of their children were either overweight or obese, and the gambit paid off. Studies found that consumption of sugary beverages had dropped. Also, companies cut sugar and salt to meet the new regulations.

Essentially, Chile has presented proof of concept for junk food regulation and warning labels. Many other countries have followed suit. In 2020, the Oaxaca state of Mexico banned sales, distribution and supply of sugary beverages (colas, caffeinated energy drinks etc) and high-calorie foods to all kids under 18, similar to restrictions on alcohol. In 2017, Norway (also known as one of the healthiest, happiest countries in the world) increased the tax on sugar and chocolate products by 80%. Canada too is putting restrictions in place to create a healthier environment for children.ICMR states that 56% of disease burden in India is due to unhealthy diets (read high consumption of UPFs). We are probably the only country where pizza and burger chains have a dedicated birthday area. What can you do as a parent then to ensure that your kids have not just a long life but also a healthy one?

Here are some suggestions

1. Teach children that consumption of packaged food is unhealthy
2. Tell them how to recognise UPFs. They usually have more than five ingredients and include additives, emulsifiers, stabilisers, hydrogenated oils etc. And even if they are enriched with vitamins or minerals, it does not make them healthy
3. Watch out for sneaky sugars such as high fructose corn syrup
4. Reinforce that chips, chocolates and colas are chips, chocolates, and colas even when sold and advertised as low fat, sugar or low calorie
Most importantly, remember that guidelines that warn you about UPFs without any policy shifts — like regulation and taxes — are toothless, to say the least. As a nation we have taken massive strides in the areas of communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional diseases. We still have a long way to go even there, but the intention and the machinery is in place. It’s time that our politicians and policy makers stop reducing obesity to a lifestyle choice and instead address the elephant in the room.
(Article Courtesy: Rujuta Diwekar, nutritionists, bestselling author)