India says number of obese teens nearly doubles in 5 years

"Earlier, children's diets in most Indian households included a lot of vegetables and lentils," said epidemiologist Sutapa Agarwal from the Public Health Foundation of India.

Nadda also raised an alarm about a related rise in diabetes among people aged 20-79, telling lawmakers Tuesday that the 2015-16 National Family Health Survey revealed more than 69 million registered cases, compared with 66.8 million the previous year and 65 million the year before that.

Rising incomes have boosted the middle class and increased demand for vehicles and other consumer products, while leading to a proliferation of Western-style fast food chains in cities.