Is not cool, it increases risk of various diseases, says report

THE rich and the middle class are spending more on unhealthy food, according to the quick estimates of the national consumption expenditure 2007-08. The study measures the amount of money that consumers spend on food.
This has led to increase in incidence of lifestyle-related diseases. The report was released by the Central Statistical Organization, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, on January 30.
The report was compiled using data obtained from sales tax records in the country between 2000 and 2008. The results showed that expenditure on beverages, paan and intoxicants almost doubled from 1.6 per cent to 3.1 per cent.
The money spent in restaurants increased from 1.9 to 2.6 per cent. Expenditure on healthy food like cereals and pulses reduced from 11.7 to 9.6 per cent and consumption of fruits and vegetables slumped from 9.5 to 7.7 per cent.