# India’s exclusive breastfeeding rate drops sharply; states ban junk food in schools 2026-08-06T21:42:10+00:00 | Health & Science | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Exclusive breastfeeding in India has fallen from 63.7% in the National Family Health Survey-5 to 55.8% in NFHS-6, The Hindu reports. The decline comes as World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7) highlights the need for better support for mothers, including at hospitals, homes and workplaces. A spike in C-section deliveries, which delays breastfeeding initiation, may have contributed. Meanwhile, Karnataka and Maharashtra have banned the sale and promotion of foods high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) in and around schools. The move aims to curb childhood obesity and diabetes. A separate study found prediabetes and obesity among Chennai adolescents rose sharply between 2006 and 2023. ## Coverage - thehindu.com - thehindu.com Tags: breastfeeding, child health, infectious diseases, junk food, substance use Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/indias-exclusive-breastfeeding-rate-falls-health-risks-rise/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/indias-exclusive-breastfeeding-rate-falls-health-risks-rise/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.