A surge in obesity levels in India has raised concerns about the prominence of ultra-processed foods (UPF), which research has linked to a range of chronic diseases.

As well as contributing to obesity, overconsumption of UPFs is thought to increase the risk factor for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, some cancers and early mortality.

Around 70 million adults and 12.5 million under-19s were obese in India in 2022, according to research published in The Lancet earlier this year. Meanwhile the World Health Organisation's (WHO) 'The growth of ultra-processed foods in India' report found that, from 2005-2006 to 2019-2020, the occurrence of overweight and obesity grew by more than 10% to reach 29.8% among men and 33.2% among women in urban India and 19.3% and 19.7% in rural India, respectively.

Of these trends, Francis Gabriel Godad, consumer business development manager at GlobalData, commented: “The consumption of ultra-processed foods in India is fueling the alarming rise of chronic diseases. Hence, the rapid expansion of the demand for ultra-processed foods highlights the critical necessity for comprehensive policy measures.

“Urgent action is required to raise awareness, promote healthier eating habits, and implement effective policies to safeguard public health. Consumers should enhance their consumption of fresh and minimally processed foods to avoid negative health consequences.”

GlobalData is Pharmaceutical Technology’s parent company.

Defining UPFs

UPF products are widely consumed, but there is no universally accepted definition of the term. The NOVA classification is the most commonly used and refers to UPF foods as “formulations of ingredients, mostly of exclusive industrial use, typically created by a series of industrial techniques and processes”.

UPF products usually include trans fats to improve shelf life, but the WHO has previously warned that “high intake of trans fat increases the risk of death from any cause by 34%, coronary heart disease deaths by 28% and coronary heart disease by 21%”. As research increasingly demonstrates links between trans fats and diseases including obesity, concerns have been raised about the rising consumption of UPFs in many diets across India.

Godad added: “Ultra-processed foods are high in added sugars, salt and unhealthy fats while lacking essential nutrients and fibre. This combination not only leads to weight gain but also promotes unhealthy eating habits.

“The rise in the number of single-member households and urbanisation has surged the demand for convenient food options. According to the statistics reported by the National Library of Medicine, the prevalence of obesity in India is expected to reach 30.5% by 2040.”