There is also an urgent need for the food industry to label the contents of the nutrients in their packaged products, especially that for Trans Fatty Acids. Canada was the first country in the world to make this mandatory, followed by USA . India needs to do the same. Dr.Vinita Sharma, Advisor to DST, strongly advocated the revival of 'Indira Aahar Yojana', which was once initiated (and, perhaps, later abandoned) by late Dr. Sukhatme, in Pune. It entailed the marketing of simple and healthy lunch packs and snacks for the benefit of consumers. This need is strongly felt for all segments of society, wherein we have healthy food products available in the market to counteract the fast food syndrome. In fact, DST is trying to initiate the marketing of tasty and wholesome food products in attractive packaging to woo the overburdened working women of today, whose health problems are compounded by irregular and/or long working hours. In fact, some housewives can start a business venture by supplying 'wholesome tiffins' to working women at their work place.
The employers should also accept their social responsibility in providing balanced meals in the office canteens as also some affordable means of physical activity at the work place.
On this World Health Day, let all ye women resolve to start taking good care of their bodies (and souls) and do not leave either of them in the hands of the men folk. Let us carry forward the movement initiated by DST and DFI for meaningful prevention of non communicable disorders, by timely nutrition related interventions, which are based on region specific food items, targeted at both, balanced nutrition and improving the status of health of women of all strata of society and of all ages.
The author writes extensively in English and Hindi media. She serves as Editor of Citizen News Service (CNS)Next Page 1 | 2
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Bobby Ramakant is a development journalist and has been writing on development issues since 1991. Health is one of the key focus areas he writes on. He is also a World Health Organization (WHO)'s WNTD awardee for 2008
