The burden of progress: NFHS-6 readings explain why India is in need of a third health revolution

For decades, policymakers have worried about too few calories. Now they have to worry about poor-quality calories. This is like the ‘nutrition transition’ that took place in China, Brazil and Mexico when economic growth, processed foods and less physical activity quickly changed the pattern of diseases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), obesity is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, stroke and diabetes globally. India is now at that stage of development.