WCD Ministry alerts states on risks of high edible oil consumption

New Delhi: The ministry of women and child development (WCD) has issued an advisory to states asking them to focus on reducing consumption of edible oils in daily diets, in light of the rising burden of overweight and obesity.

It had earlier too urged the states/UTs to exercise caution in the use of added sugar, salt, preservatives, colours, and other synthetic ingredients in the preparation of supplementary nutrition provided in Anganwadis through Take Home Rations and meals.

The latest data on prevalence of obesity in the country warrants an urgent call for preventive action, it said. According to NFHS-5, one in five adults in urban India is overweight or obese. In parallel, the Poshan Tracker data (May 2025) reveals 6% children under five years of age in the Anganwadi Centres fall into the overweight/obese category.


"These trends, largely driven by unhealthy diets, reduced physical activity and bad lifestyle significantly heighten the risk of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and certain cancers," it said. The latest data on prevalence of obesity in the country warrants an urgent call for preventive action, it said.

The ministry has asked the states/UTs to conduct targeted awareness programmes/activities for officers, field functionaries, Anganwadi workers and community at large. "These efforts should focus on reducing consumption of edible oils in daily diets in line with the Dietary Guidelines for Indians, 2024, released by the National Institute of Nutrition," it said.

To reinforce the objectives of the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases, states have also been asked to initiate awareness campaigns across all tiers-from state and district offices to AWCs.