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Marketing of unhealthy food to women & children in Nepal

Ganesh Shah Advisor Sewa Nepal

Outline of Presentation
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Sewa Nepal Introduction Unhealthy Food Description Food Pyramid List of Unhealthy Food Marketing & Consumption Of Unhealthy Foods Table depicting the exposure of women & children to unhealthy foods Conclusion
Ganesh Shah Advisor, Sewa Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal shahganesh@gmail.com

SEWA NEPAL INTRODUCTION

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Founded in 1992 - an independent, non-profit making & non-governmental social organization Dedicated to the socio-economic upliftment of women & children living in both rural & urban areas in Nepal. Philosophy -to enhance individual capacity of women & children of Nepal: Social, Political & Economic. Aware & Execute Nepalese Women & Children for their Economic & Political rights, Health & Other basic Rights Advocating on policy, programs & support for womens economic empowerment.
Ganesh Shah Advisor, Sewa Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal shahganesh@gmail.com

UNHEALTHY FOOD
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High in sugar, salt & fat (fat high in saturated fatty acids). Foods containing Artificial sweetner & MSG Junk foods containing low amount of fibre & vitamins
They are causes of obesity, overweight, heart disease, diabetes & other health disorders.
Ganesh Shah Advisor, Sewa Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal shahganesh@gmail.com

FOOD PYRAMID
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Ganesh Shah Advisor, Sewa Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal shahganesh@gmail.com

List of Unhealthy Foods

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Fried & Fatty foods: potato chips, crackers, French fries, fried chicken, burger, cheese, butter, cream, pizza, pancake, crackers, chips, typical Indo-Nepalese snacks like Bhujia, Samosa, Pakauda Baked goods like cake, muffins, doughnuts, high fat cookies, sausage Beverages like soft drinks containing either high sugar or artificial sweetner e.g. aspartame & phosphoric acid Junk foods like instant noodle, MSG containing foods like different snacks & instant noodles. Sweet foods like sugar confectionery Milk based sweets, chocolate, ice cream Salty foods like salt sticks, pretzels, ham, salami, titaura,
Ganesh Shah Advisor, Sewa Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal shahganesh@gmail.com

Marketing & Consumption Of Unhealthy Foods

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All the foods included above are being marketed in Nepal. The amount & frequency of consumption by women & children depends on place (city & big towns/small market & rural area), family income & occupation. Population living in urban area consumes more than village dwelling population. Especially those who live in metropolitan & submetropolitan cities
Fried, fatty, creamy, sweet & baked products are highly appealing but also they are more expensive. So, the people of high income group (upper & upper middle class) can better afford to buy this type of food. Among the women who work in office tends to consume more of the restaurant, fast food outlet & bakery prepared foods.
Ganesh Shah Advisor, Sewa Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal shahganesh@gmail.com

Table depicting the exposure of women & children to unhealthy foods

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Food Instant noodle Potato chips and cracker Sugar confectionery Baked goods Milk based sweets Fried potato Samosa, pakauda

Women Children Frequency of consumption high high high high medium high medium

Fried chicken and other meat

Ice cream High fat red meat Titaura Carbonated soft drinks

low
medium low high medium

Ganesh Shah Advisor, Sewa Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal shahganesh@gmail.com

CONCLUSION
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There are limited studies on marketing of unhealthy foods to women & children in Nepal. Apparently, the marketing of unhealthy foods is in the increase with increased urbanization & adaptation of so called food culture of advanced society. It is common to see school children carrying pouches of instant noodles for small meal (tiffin) in the school. A study on junk food consumption by children, shows the love of children for instant noodle. There is scanty information having shown the effect of unhealthy food on the health of women and children. A study shows that the percentage of overweight women in Nepal is below 10%.
Ganesh Shah Advisor, Sewa Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal shahganesh@gmail.com