Why in the News?
The National Institute of Epidemiology (ICMR-NIE) has launched a community-driven initiative to promote awareness and encourage the adoption of low-sodium salt substitutes.
About the Silent Salt Consumption Epidemic:
- What is it: The epidemic refers to the widespread, unmonitored intake of excess salt leading to chronic diseases.
- Silent Nature of the Problem: It remains “silent” as its health impacts like hypertension and heart ailments develop gradually over time.
- Cultural and Behavioral Factors: Cultural dietary habits and low public awareness contribute to its persistence.
- Public Health Recognition: ICMR-NIE has termed it a public health crisis, prompting intervention projects in selected states.
Salt Consumption in India:
WHO Directives on Salt Consumption:
|
Issues with High Salt Consumption:
- Health Impact: Linked to kidney stones, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, and strokes.
- Mortality Burden: Globally, excess salt intake is responsible for around 5 million deaths annually.
- Limited Access to Low-Sodium Salt: Only 28% of retail outlets in Chennai had low-sodium salt; just 4% availability in small grocery shops.
| [UPSC 2005] Assertion (A): The person with diabetes insipidus feels thirsty. Reason (R): A person with diabetes insipidus suffers from excess secretion of vasopressin.
Options: (a) A is true but R is false* (b) Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A (c) A is false but R is true (d) A is false but R is false |
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
