Malnutrition and health problems massively affect urban schoolchildren in India
A recent analysis conducted in a large private school in Pune, India, reveals an alarming situation among urban schoolchildren. More than 70% of the 4,848 children studied, aged 3 to 17, suffer from malnutrition, while nearly half have dental problems. Visual impairments affect more than a quarter of the students, with a significantly higher prevalence among girls than boys. ENT and pediatric issues, although less frequent, remain concerning, affecting nearly 19% and 28% of children, respectively.
Malnutrition mainly manifests as underweight, particularly pronounced among the youngest, in kindergarten and primary classes. This phenomenon gradually decreases with age but remains dominant even among adolescents. In contrast, vision problems increase with the school level: they rise from 11% among the youngest to over 35% among high school students. Dental caries, on the other hand, almost double between these two age groups, highlighting the cumulative impact of poor dietary habits and inadequate oral hygiene.
Girls are particularly affected by visual impairments, with a 20% higher risk than boys, regardless of their age or nutritional status. This difference could be explained by behavioral or sociocultural factors, such as increased screen exposure or delays in seeking care. Underweight children are also more vulnerable to cavities and pediatric problems, such as anemia, which highlights a link between chronic malnutrition and overall health.
The results also show that health needs evolve with age. Among the youngest, nutritional deficiencies dominate, while adolescents suffer more from sensory and dental problems. This transition reflects lifestyle changes, such as a less balanced diet and reduced physical activity, typical of urban environments.
This study highlights the urgency of action in schools, particularly by strengthening screening and prevention programs. Interventions must be tailored to the age, gender, and school level of the children. For example, girls should benefit from more frequent vision screenings, while younger children would need targeted nutritional programs. The use of electronic medical records allows for precise tracking of these issues and adjustment of measures accordingly.
The coexistence of malnutrition and excess weight in some children illustrates a phenomenon known as the double burden of malnutrition. This is characterized by the simultaneous presence of deficiencies and overweight within the same population, often due to unbalanced diets and a sedentary lifestyle. This finding confirms that the health challenges of urban schoolchildren in India are complex and require multifaceted solutions.
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Report Source
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12187-026-10391-6
Title: Malnutrition and Health Burden Among Urban Indian Schoolchildren: Evidence from Digital Health Records
Journal: Child Indicators Research
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Authors: Alaka Chandak; Rajiv Yeravdekar