Unhealthy food consumption patterns among Indians: A qualitative analysis based on parliamentary questions documented between 2001 and 2021

BACKGROUND: From the dawn of the 21(st) century, there has been an exponential increase in junk food consumption among Indians. The Indian parliament holds periodic question and answer sessions wherein several key issues of the nation are discussed by representatives across the country. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Questions pertaining to junk foods and soft drinks that were documented between January 2001 and July 2021 in both houses of the parliament were included in the study. They were organized using MaxQDA software. Thematic analysis of the questions was done using Braun and Clarke’s phases for thematic analysis. RESULTS: A total of 424 questions (0.08%) were asked collectively on junk foods including soft drinks in both the houses of which 160 questions (0.03%) were exclusively on junk food and 264 questions (0.05%) were on soft drinks respectively. Out of a total of 28,240 questions asked on all topics across both houses to the MOHFW, a total of 166 questions (0.6 %) were on junk food and soft drinks. Only 84 unique parliamentarians from 21 states have raised their voices on the present topic of concern. CONCLUSION: A majority of questions were on the adverse effects of junk food and soft drinks. Though there has been consistency in certain states on raising their voices on this topic, around 12 states/union territories failed to represent this issue even once. Further discussions have to be raised under the themes of food poisoning due to junk foods, marketing regulations, stricter media/advertisement regulations and future research objectivess.