Health Empirics

Overweight and obesity among adolescents in India are rising, with recent estimates suggesting a growing burden alongside high consumption of foods high in fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS). Excessive intake of HFSS foods is a key risk factor for non-communicable diseases. Front-of-Pack Labeling (FOPL), recommended by the World Health Organization, aims to reduce such consumption. This study estimates the potential impact of FOPL on adolescent overweight and obesity in India. Data from the Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (2018) on consumption of snacks, fried foods, sweets, and aerated drinks were used. Scenarios assuming 8–35% calorie reduction, incorporating partial compensatory intake, were modeled using a dynamic weight-change framework over four years. Changes in overweight and obesity prevalence and associated economic costs (diabetes, asthma, heart disease, cancer) were estimated, along with industry implementation costs. Data from the Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (2018) on consumption of snacks, fried foods, sweets, and aerated drinks were used. Scenarios assuming 8–35% calorie reduction, incorporating partial compensatory intake, were modeled using a dynamic weight-change framework over four years. Changes in overweight and obesity prevalence and associated economic costs (diabetes, asthma, heart disease, cancer) were estimated, along with industry implementation costs. FOPL is a low-cost, potentially high-impact policy for reducing adolescent obesity in India. However, results depend on key assumptions and limited cost data, highlighting the need for context-specific evidence.