Obesity an Epidemic in India, Calls for Regulation on Junk Food: Luke Coutinho

By A Staff Reporter

New Delhi – Leading health expert and Co-Founder of Luke Coutinho Holistic Healing Systems, Luke Coutinho, has raised concerns over rising obesity rates in India, calling it an "epidemic" that requires urgent action.

"Our Prime Minister is absolutely right in his vision to combat this," Coutinho said, emphasizing that tackling obesity should begin at the childhood level by ensuring proper nutrition from an early age. He stressed the importance of "right education and not influencer education" to guide people toward healthier lifestyles.

Highlighting India’s rich nutritional heritage, he advocated for increased use of local superfoods like makhana, moringa, amla, pure ghee, and millets, which are being actively promoted by the government. However, he also called for stricter regulations on junk food, fast food, and ultra-fast food delivery services.

"We have to regulate junk food, which is our biggest enemy. Healthy food cannot be cooked in 10 minutes, and we need awareness around this," he remarked.

Coutinho welcomed the government's initiative to introduce obesity education in schools and urged citizens to take personal responsibility in supporting the mission. "As Indians, we all have a role to play in addressing this crisis," he concluded.