Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey

The study “Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey” was commissioned by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The study was carried out between February 2016 and October 2018. About 1.12 lakh children and adolescents (0-19 years) were covered for height and weight measurements, and biological samples from 51,029 children (1-19 years) were taken from all the States.

Findings of the Study

• There was a growing threat of Non-Communicable diseases (NCDs) in school-going children aged between five to nine and in adolescents aged between 10 and 19.
• 5% of adolescents were found to have hypertension (high blood pressure).
• Obesity to be on the rise among those in the 10-19 age group. Obesity was found to be high Tamil Nadu, Delhi and Goa.
• About 10% of the children and adolescents were found to be pre-diabetic in the country and 7% of the children and adolescents had the risk of chronic kidney
• Chronic kidney disease was found clustered in a few districts of the southern, eastern and northeastern States.
• About 10% of the children and adolescents were found with high triglycerides, 4% of adolescents had high cholesterol and high LDL, and 28% had low HDL.

Why there is such a trend?

Doctors attribute these findings to a sedentary lifestyle coupled with the consumption of junk food, children spending hours in front of mobile phones, laptops and television, and genetic factors.

Cause of Concern

NCDs typically occur later on in life. Hypertension in children if goes undetected can develop chronic kidney disease. Along with lifestyle modification that includes outdoor physical activities with limited screen time, a wholesome and balanced diet comprising minimally processed food is a must for the well-being of children.