Why Economic Survey 2025–26 Flags Junk Food, Obesity and Social Media Use

The Economic Survey of India is typically associated with GDP projections, fiscal trends and growth forecasts. However, the latest edition for 2025–26 has drawn attention for highlighting issues more commonly discussed in public health and social policy — junk food consumption, rising obesity, excessive screen time and social media use among adolescents and young adults.

Addressing the media ahead of the Union Budget session, V Anantha Nageswaran explained that the inclusion of these concerns reflects a broader understanding of what drives long-term economic growth. According to the survey, India’s demographic dividend cannot be fully realised unless the physical and mental health of its working-age population is protected.

The references appear in the chapter titled “Strengthening Healthcare,” released by the Department of Economic Affairs as part of the Economic Survey highlights. The chapter argues that productivity, workforce participation and economic resilience are directly influenced by health outcomes, especially among adolescents and early working-age adults.

Using data from the National Family Health Survey, the survey notes a steady increase in overweight and obesity levels across age groups. More than one in five Indian adults is now classified as overweight or obese, with urban populations showing particularly high prevalence. Importantly, the trend is no longer confined to affluent households and is spreading across income brackets.

The survey links this rise to the growing consumption of ultra-processed foods, high sugar intake and increasingly sedentary lifestyles. It cautions that obesity is not merely a lifestyle issue but an economic concern, as it increases vulnerability to chronic illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease, leading to reduced productivity during prime working years.

To address this challenge, the Economic Survey proposes exploring stricter regulation of ultra-processed food marketing. Among the suggestions is a potential ban on advertising such foods across all media platforms between early morning and late night hours, alongside tighter controls on the promotion of infant and toddler food products. The report also stresses the importance of clearer food labelling to empower consumers to make informed dietary choices, noting that tackling obesity requires cooperation between government, industry and citizens.

Beyond physical health, the survey revisits concerns about excessive screen time and social media use. Drawing from behavioural studies and health data, it highlights links between prolonged digital exposure, social comparison and rising levels of anxiety, depressive symptoms and emotional distress among adolescents.

The issue has already entered policy debates, with some Indian states considering age-based restrictions on social media access. However, the survey refrains from advocating blanket bans, instead emphasising awareness, parental guidance and informed decision-making.

Nageswaran warned that unhealthy diets, reduced physical activity and digital addiction together increase the risk of anxiety and suicidal thoughts among young people. He described this as a “silent erosion” of India’s future workforce that could weaken long-term economic prospects if left unaddressed.

Unlike earlier editions that focused more narrowly on mental health, the Economic Survey 2025–26 adopts a holistic framework, integrating physical, mental and emotional well-being into economic planning. The message is clear: sustainable growth will depend not only on jobs and skills, but also on a healthier, more resilient population.