| Smash 2025 FLT 10 Q18. The silent epidemic of lifestyle diseases and mental health disorders is no longer confined to urban India. Discuss the key drivers of this health transition in rural and semi-urban India. |
The rise of fast food reflects the paradox of modern society: while people are increasingly aware of the health risks of processed, high-fat and high-sugar diets, the demand for convenience, speed, and affordability continues to fuel the growth of the industry. The fast food market is projected to reach USD 45 billion by 2030 with CAGR of 10%. (ICRIER)
Increased health concerns in modern society
| Health Issue | India | Global Scale |
| NCD Mortality | 66% of all deaths, with 22% premature | 75% of non-pandemic deaths (~43 million/year); 18 million premature (<70 years) |
| Diabetes Patients | Over 101 million individuals affected | 589 million diagnosed (1 in 9 adults); 252 million undiagnosed |
| Diabetes Prevalence (Projected) | ~6,960 per 100,000 population; DALY burden ~1,160 | 3.4 million deaths/year; USD 1 trillion in costs |
| Obesity in Households | All adults overweight/obese in 1 out of 5 households | 2.5 billion overweight adults; 890 million obese; could reach 3 billion by 2030 |
| Youth Obesity & Metabolic Risk | 61.6% of college students overweight or obese; early risk rising |
Despite this there is growing fast food industries due to
- Supportive Policies & FDI – Liberalization and 100% FDI in food services attracted global players.
- Aggressive Marketing & Branding – Eg– McDonald’s “McAloo Tikki” or Domino’s “30-minute delivery”
- Affordability & Standardization – Fast food offers predictable taste at low cost compared to traditional dining. Eg– Domino’s ₹49 pizzas.
- Urbanization & Lifestyle Changes – Migration to cities, rise of nuclear families, and busy work schedules create demand for ready-to-eat meals.
- Time Constraints & Convenience – Long commutes and dual-income households push people toward quick meals. Eg– Office-goers in metros rely heavily on QSRs (Quick Service Restaurants).
- Changing dietary pattern – Rural households spend 9.84% and urban households 11.09% of their monthly budget on beverages and processed food (Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (2023-24)).
- Youth Demographics & Socialization – Young population views eating out as leisure and peer activity.
- Globalization & Cultural Influence – Exposure to Western culture fuels acceptance of fast food habits. Eg– Taco Bell India offers Paneer Tikka Tacos to blend global & local.
- Technological Enablers – Food delivery platforms, digital payments, and online discounts boost accessibility. Eg– Swiggy and Zomato.
- Changing Food Preferences – Shift from home-cooked meals to processed and packaged foods due to taste variety. Eg– Growth of snack foods industry in Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns.
- Expansion into Smaller Cities – QSR chains penetrate Tier-2 and Tier-3 markets, tapping aspirational consumers.
- Experiential Consumption – Malls, multiplexes, and cafés position fast food as leisure and lifestyle.
| Impact | Way Forward |
| Rising NCDs (obesity, diabetes, hypertension) due to high fat, sugar, salt (HFSS) intake | Enforce front-of-pack nutrition labels and promote food reformulation (FSSAI 2025 plan) |
| Misleading advertising targeting youth and children | Ban HFSS food ads for minors and mandate truthful nutritional claims |
| Food delivery apps increasing junk consumption | Impose digital food safety norms—calorie display, hygiene ratings on Swiggy/Zomato |
| Introduce health tax on junk foods and strengthen FSSAI enforcement (Economic Survey recommendation) | |
| Launch nationwide nutrition literacy campaigns under Poshan Abhiyan & Eat Right Movement |
The future of India’s fast food industry must align with national goals of “Eat Right India” (FSSAI) and SDG-3: Good Health and Well-Being, SDG-12: Responsible Consumption to transform it into a driver of not just convenience, but also public health and sustainability.
