The Economic Survey 2026 draws attention to two critical public health issues: obesity and digital addiction in India. Rising consumption of ultra-processed foods is fuelling obesity among children and adults, while increased screen time, social media, and online gaming are creating widespread digital dependency among youth. Both issues have significant consequences for health, productivity, and long-term economic growth. Addressing obesity and digital addiction in India is now a priority for policymakers and educators. (NDTV Health)
In particular, the Survey highlights the rise of obesity driven by ultra‑processed foods (UPFs) and the growing concern over digital addiction among youth and adults. These are framed not just as health consequences but as socio‑economic issues that demand nuanced policy responses.
1. Rising Obesity and Ultra‑Processed Foods — A Major Public Health Issue
Surge in Obesity Across Age Groups
The Economic Survey warns that India is witnessing a rapid increase in obesity driven by unhealthy diets, urban lifestyles, sedentary behaviour, and especially increased consumption of ultra‑processed foods — a category that includes items high in calories, sugars, fats, and sodium.
Data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) reveal that:
- Overweight/obesity prevalence among adults is significant — with more than 24% of women and 23% of men classified as overweight or obese.
- Child obesity is also rising; excess weight among children under five increased from 2.1% in 2015‑16 to 3.4% in 2019‑21.
- Estimates suggest that over 3.3 crore children were obese in 2020, with projections indicating this number could exceed 8 crore by 2035 if trends continue.
This dramatic shift in body weight trends has deep implications for public health, life expectancy, and long‑term economic productivity, as obesity is strongly linked with non‑communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension.
Ultra‑Processed Foods (UPFs): The Dietary Shift Under Scrutiny
Retail sales of ultra‑processed foods in India have exploded in recent years, growing by more than 150% between 2009 and 2023 and completely altering dietary patterns across socioeconomic groups.
UPFs—including packaged snacks, sugary drinks, ready‑to‑eat meals, and many convenience foods—often displace nutrient‑rich, whole foods in daily diets, contributing to excess calorie intake and poor nutrition. Health experts emphasise that these products’ taste engineering (high sugar, fat, and salt), convenience, and aggressive marketing encourage overconsumption.
Economic and Social Impact of Obesity
Obesity’s implications are not limited to individual health alone. The Survey notes that this trend represents a growing threat to national productivity. Poor health outcomes can translate into:
- Lost workdays due to illness
- Higher healthcare expenditure burden
- Reduced labour productivity
- Greater fiscal pressure on public health systems
By linking obesity with macroeconomic goals, the survey underscores that unchecked dietary shifts will have both human and economic costs.
2. Digital Addiction — The New Behavioural Health Challenge
Digital Addiction Defined
For the first time in a major national policy document, the survey flags digital addiction — compulsive and excessive use of digital platforms — as a behavioural risk factor with health and productivity implications.
Digital addiction encompasses excessive engagement with:
- Smartphones
- Social media platforms
- Online gaming
- Streaming and video content
This pattern of use can lead to sleep problems, reduced focus, anxiety, social withdrawal, and diminished real‑world engagement, especially among children and young adults.
Why Digital Addiction Matters Economically
While digital technologies have undoubtedly enabled access to education, employment, and services, the survey highlights that the costs of over‑engagement are beginning to outweigh benefits in some areas:
- Distraction from study and work
- Reduced productivity due to compulsive screen time
- Interference with sleep and physical activity
- Erosion of offline social skills
These consequences — at individual and population levels — may reduce overall economic output and social wellbeing.
3. Policy Suggestions and Interventions
A. Tackling Unhealthy Diets and Obesity
The Economic Survey and connected policy discourse suggest several possible interventions to curb unhealthy eating and reduce obesity rates:
1. Improved Food Labelling and Consumer Awareness
Enhanced transparency on nutrition labels can help consumers understand the health risks associated with ultra‑processed foods, encouraging more informed choices.
2. Marketing Restrictions on UPFs
Some commentators and regional proposals suggest restricting the marketing of ultra‑processed foods during key viewing hours (e.g., a possible ban on advertising UPFs from early morning to late evening), much like regulations placed on tobacco or alcohol advertising.
3. School Nutrition and Physical Activity Programs
Integrating healthier meals and mandatory physical activity in schools could inculcate better dietary habits and reduce childhood obesity. A focus on whole, minimally processed foods in school lunch programmes is seen as an important step.
4. Public Awareness Campaigns
National campaigns highlighting the benefits of balanced diets, the risks of high UPF intake, and the importance of regular exercise can shift cultural norms and behaviours over time.
B. Addressing Digital Addiction and Youth Wellbeing
To mitigate digital addiction’s impact, the Survey and related expert discussions propose a range of strategies:
1. Age‑Based Digital Access Policies
The survey recommends considering age‑based limits on online platform access, similar to age restrictions in media and entertainment, to protect children from harmful content and compulsive use patterns.
Age verification and default settings that limit exposure to addictive features (autoplay, endless scrolling) may be part of such frameworks.
2. Digital Literacy and Wellness Education
Introducing digital wellness curricula in schools—teaching students about healthy screen habits, cyber safety, and the psychological effects of excessive use—is highlighted as a way to build long‑term resilience.
3. Parental and Community Engagement
Programmes to help parents set boundaries on screen time, promote device‑free family time, and encourage offline activities are recommended to reinforce positive behaviours within households.
4. Accountability for Digital Platforms
Holding social media and gaming platforms responsible for enforcing age‑appropriate content and safe defaults can align business incentives with user wellbeing.
4. A Broader View — Health, Productivity, and Economic Growth
The inclusion of obesity and digital addiction in the Economic Survey reflects a broader shift in policy thinking—one that recognises human wellbeing as a core driver of economic growth. These lifestyle and behavioural trends, if unaddressed, have the potential to erode future productivity, strain healthcare infrastructure, and exacerbate inequality in health outcomes.
By framing these issues as policy priorities, India is aligning itself with global trends that view health and digital wellbeing through an economic as well as a public‑health lens. Encouraging balanced diets, promoting physical activity, and fostering healthy digital engagement habits are not just social goals but essential components of inclusive and sustainable development
Conclusion
India’s Economic Survey 2025–26 marks a significant pivot toward acknowledging and quantifying the socio‑economic impacts of lifestyle and behavioural health challenges. The dual rise of obesity linked to ultra‑processed diets and digital addiction among the youth presents complex but addressable risks.
Policy responses—ranging from age‑based online access, media regulation, and digital wellness education to nutrition‑sensitive public health strategies—could help mitigate these trends. What is now needed is cross‑sector collaboration, evidence‑based policymaking, and sustained commitment to nurturing a healthier, more productive population.
