A healthy tax: On taxing foods high in fat, sugar and salt ↗
Consider the following statements regarding India's dual burden of malnutrition and the role of ICMR-NIN in public health policy:
- India simultaneously faces the challenge of undernutrition (such as stunting) alongside rising adult obesity and overweight — a phenomenon described as the dual burden of malnutrition.
- The Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN) functions as a statutory body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with the legal mandate to frame binding dietary regulations.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct. India's dual burden of malnutrition refers to the coexistence of undernutrition (such as stunting and wasting, which remain public health concerns) alongside rapidly rising rates of adult overweight, obesity, and diet-related metabolic non-communicable diseases. This is a well-established public health concept documented in NFHS data and recognised by the WHO. Statement 2 is incorrect. The ICMR-NIN (Indian Council of Medical Research – National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad) is a premier research institution under the Indian Council of Medical Research, which itself is an autonomous body under the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. ICMR-NIN provides dietary guidelines and policy recommendations (such as recommending taxes on HFSS foods) but does not have statutory authority to frame binding dietary regulations. Its outputs are advisory and research-based, not legally enforceable mandates.