Eating Right, Growing Right

WHO's Healthy Diet Factsheet warns that India’s nutrition transition is uneven, demanding urgent policy action to protect health and productivity

- SANKAR RAJAN

On January 26, 2026, the World Health Organisation released its updated Healthy Diet Factsheet. It is a short document, but it carries a big message.

Food is not only about taste or tradition. It is about health, growth, and the future of societies. The factsheet reminds us that a healthy diet is built on four principles: adequacy, balance, moderation, and diversity. These are simple words, but they carry deep meaning.

India today is at a turning point. Our diets are changing fast. On average, we see improvements. More families are eating vegetables, milk, and fruits than before. But averages can be misleading. Behind the numbers are millions of people who still eat far less than what is recommended. At the same time, there are others who consume far too much, especially foods high in salt, sugar, and fat. This uneven picture is the real story of India's nutrition transition.

The Double Burden of Malnutrition

India faces what experts call the double burden of malnutrition. In many homes, children suffer from stunting, wasting, and anaemia. Micronutrient deficiencies remain widespread. Iron deficiency alone affects more than half of women of reproductive age. Vitamin A and zinc deficiencies continue to harm growth and immunity. This is the “hidden hunger” that weakens our human capital.

At the same time, overweight and obesity are rising. Diabetes and hypertension are now common even among younger adults.

The Rise of Processed Foods