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Nearly seven in 10 respondents claimed to have improved their diet in the past year. But when this group was asked more about the health benefits of some common foods, they produced a surprising scenario. Among those with ‘better’ eating habits, 34% said oily and fried food more than once a week is okay; Among those whose diet had deteriorated, this share was 30%. The first group showed greater tolerance towards eating sweets, chocolates, sweets and parathas.
Despite these foods being associated with high levels of saturated and possibly trans fats, as well as sugar – known contributors to lifestyle diseases – people with ‘better’ diets are less likely to reduce sugar, unhealthy fats, salt, or carbs. was more likely. Trends rather than sustainable health practices.
Also read: Diabetes: a ticking time bomb
The responses suggest that the improvement in habits may have come from switching to eggs or soya and ragi-based snacks or flour noodles. But the health ratio of alternative snacks and flour noodles is also a matter of debate, as they may contain other worrisome ingredients.
The latest survey, conducted online, was the 12th in a biennial series conducted by Mint in collaboration with YouGov India and the Center for Policy Research (CPR). There were 10,314 respondents spread across more than 200 cities and towns. The survey, conducted since 2018, sheds light on the beliefs, choices and concerns of India’s young urban population.
diet puzzle
Urban Indians generally have positive attitudes about their eating habits, especially those in the higher income groups. While overall 72% of respondents claimed their diets had improved, the share rose to 94% among breadwinners 4 lakh or more per month, and 82% of people with monthly income 1-4 lakh. In contrast, only 68% of respondents have income less than 30,000 people per month reported improvements in diet.
Self-perceived positive change is also greatest among millennials (73%), with post-millennials close at 71%. ‘Millennials’ refers to the group that is now between the ages of 28 and 43; Post-Millennials (aka Gen Z) are young.
For a large portion of the group with a ‘better’ diet, change has largely come from increased awareness (56%) or the influence of family or friends (46%). Of those whose eating habits worsened, 40% attributed it to a difficult phase in life that made it difficult for them to prioritize food, while 37% attributed it to changes at the workplace. Ordained. A significant minority (36%) also said it was because healthy food has become more expensive.
workout challenge
Sedentary lifestyle is often cited as the reason for the increasing incidence of non-communicable diseases among Indians. Still, many in Gen Z appear to be disengaged from a daily exercise routine: Only 26% said they have exercise, compared to 40% of pre-millennials and 36% of millennials. Women were less likely to be active, with 41% saying they exercised once a week or less, compared to 34% of men. This may be linked to women juggling household duties and paid work, leaving little time for physical activity.
People with higher incomes and living in metro cities were more likely to exercise regularly (more than once a week). Income-based inequality was very high—55% of earners 30,000 per month or less, while 85% of those making 2.5 lakh or more.
About 63% also said that they get a health checkup done at least once a year. It was 69% for pre-Millennials and 58% among Gen Z. On expected lines, higher income facilitated more check-ups. This share dropped to 60% among women, while among men it was 65%. Among regions, Southern India had the lowest share (59%).
label warning
Do you read food product labels? For three out of four respondents, expiration date is one of the top three factors to consider when purchasing a product; The survey revealed that brand names are followed by ingredients and nutritional information. As many as 52% said they are also looking for certification by India’s food safety regulator.
However, about a quarter (27%) of respondents have difficulty understanding food nutrition labels, rising to close to 30% among the less educated, small-town residents and those with the lowest earners. This indicates the need for greater awareness and access to such important information so as to reach out to the affluent sections.
Also read: How healthy is your favorite fruit drink?
healthy belief
From keto diets to going low-carb and salt-free, there has been an explosion of ‘healthy’ advice worrying Indians. We asked respondents for a fact-versus-fad dissection of some popular healthy methods available in the public domain. The need to go low-carb and gluten-free hits the sensibilities of urban Indians the most, with nearly 70% of respondents saying these are healthy practices. Nearly 60% said the same about reducing sugar and increasing protein in the diet. But as noted earlier, this share was lower for those who claimed to have improved their diet in the past year.
Indians are becoming conscious of their choices for a healthy lifestyle, but as social media trends enhance perception, there is an ongoing debate on what is nutritious and what is not.
This is the sixth part of a series on the findings of the 12th round of the survey. Previous sections included political attitudes, middle class aspirations, and social media use. These surveys are skewed towards urban, affluent netizens, with 90% of respondents falling under the NCCS-A socio-economic category. Full methodology notes here.
Part – 1: The 2024 elections changed the electoral pitch – but only a little
part 2: Understanding the political flaws of urban India
Part 3: India’s middle-class conundrum: How much do you need to be rich?
Part 4: India’s freebie paradox: Voters hate it but want some things for free
Part 5: How social media fueled politics and created tension in relationships during the 2024 elections
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