Rising Obesity in India: Challenges in Achieving Nutrition-related SDGs | Chapter 7 | Food Science and Agriculture: Research Highlights Vol. 4

 

India bears a disproportionate share of the world’s malnutrition burden. Alongside continuing undernutrition and micronutrient gaps, a rapidly rising epidemic of overweight and obesity is making progress toward SDG-2 difficult. NFHS-5 (2019–21) reports that 24% of women, 23% of men and 3.4% of children under five are overweight or obese. Once concentrated in high-income countries, obesity is now escalating in low- and middle-income countries as well; globally, the share of 5–19-year-olds with obesity grew from 7% to 16% between 1990 and 2022, while adult obesity rose from 2% to 8% over the same period. Projections suggest that by 2050, India could be among the nations with the largest absolute numbers of people living with obesity, which will intensify the risk of non-communicable disease (NCD) and slow progress toward SDG-3. The consequences of obesity in terms of morbidity, disability and premature mortality contribute substantially to the overall disease burden. This surge reflects an interplay of socio-economic, cultural and environmental forces such as rapid urbanisation; rising incomes and increasingly sedentary, screen-centric work; a dietary shift toward aggressively marketed, ultra-processed, calorie-dense foods; and digital platforms that enable effortless, frequent access to high-calorie meals. Despite flagship efforts such as Poshan Abhiyaan, Fit India, and Eat Right India, the problem of overnutrition remains insufficiently addressed. A comprehensive, multi-sector response is needed. Priority actions include fiscal and regulatory measures (higher taxes on high-fat, high-salt, high-sugar foods and subsidies for fruits, vegetables and whole grains), clear front-of-pack nutrition labels, restrictions on unhealthy food marketing, especially targeting children and healthier food environments in schools, workplaces and public institutions. Urban planning that supports active living, women-centred health initiatives, community nutrition literacy and the revitalisation of diverse traditional food systems can further shift demand toward healthier choices. A coordinated, evidence-led approach is essential to protect India’s demographic dividend, curb the NCD surge and achieve SDG-aligned, sustainable nutrition outcomes.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Rekha Sharma
Sri Guru Gobind Singh College of Commerce, University of Delhi, Delhi, India.

 

Deepali Sharma
Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/fsarh/v4/6373

Environmental Impact on Amazon River Water Quality: Urbanisation, Deforestation, Cultivation, and Sedimentation | Chapter 6 | Current Research on Geography, Earth Science and Environment Vol. 2

 

The Amazon River of South America is made up of a network of tributaries from across different countries that drain into the main body of the river. The Amazon River has approximately 1,100 tributaries. The Amazon River, spanning two-fifths of an entire continent, is the lifeblood of the world's largest ecosystem. The primary objective is to mitigate the environmental impact of deforestation, urbanisation, cultivation, invasive species, soil erosion, and sedimentation on declining Amazon water quality. The Amazon River is fed by a series of tributaries that are categorised into three types depending on the terrain they pass through and the sediments they pick up along the way. First is the Whitewater Rivers, which are brown because of large amounts of soil-based sediments. The Blackwater Rivers, which are deep brown, are caused by decomposing plant materials. These materials make the waters highly acidic and inhospitable to parasites and bacteria. The Clearwater Rivers flow in highlands over ancient rocks whose sediments were washed off long ago. A Water Quality Index (WQI) was used based on nine variables analysed. The Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) was an important tool used to evaluate the water quality of the studied rivers. Water pollution in industrial and urban areas is intense. Water use for various urban purposes needs to be restricted.

 

Author(s) Details

Kenneth R. Olson
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, USA.

 

David R. Speidel
USDA Resource Conservationist and Agricultural Consultant with Natural Resource Conservation Service and Foreign Agricultural Service, Benton, Missouri, USA.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/crgese/v2/6007

Evolution of Food Systems: Social and Environmental Impacts | Chapter 08 | New Innovations in Economics, Business and Management Vol. 9

 Food systems and urbanisation have become inextricably linked since the rise of awareness about sustainability and new production processes, such as the Circular Economy, and the publication of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the Agenda 2030 in 2015: increased urbanisation should be accompanied by increased food system efficiency to ensure food security and quality. Food waste might be viewed as a result of inefficient and ineffective present consumption and production methods, as well as food systems. The Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) City Region Food Systems (CRFS) might provide cities with critical tools for more efficient food systems. The purpose of this study is to examine the CRFS model in light of the 17 SDGs for assessing the social and environmental implications of the intricate and systemic links between food systems and urbanization.

Author(S) Details

Giuliana Vinci
Department of Management, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Del Castro Laurenziano-900161, Rome, Italy.

Margherita Tiradritti
Department of Management, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Del Castro Laurenziano-900161, Roma (RM), Italia.

Luca Masiello
Department of Management, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Del Castro Laurenziano-900161, Roma (RM), Italia.

View Book:- https://stm.bookpi.org/NIEBM-V9/article/view/6887