NEW DELHI: A startling government report reveals that more than one-third of Indian children aged 5-9 have elevated triglyceride levels. The alarming prevalence appears most significant in Jammu and Kashmir, West Bengal, and various northeastern states. Released during the 29th Conference of Central and State Statistical Organisations (CoCSSO) on September 25 in Chandigarh, this report stemmed from extensive data collection and analysis.
In West Bengal, a staggering 67 per cent of youngsters display high triglycerides. Similarly, 64 per cent of children in Sikkim, 55 per cent in Nagaland, 57 per cent in Assam, and 50 per cent in Jammu and Kashmir reflect similar concerns. High triglycerides, a form of blood fat, significantly raise the risk of future heart diseases.
Conversely, Kerala and Maharashtra exhibit the lowest rates of high triglycerides, with 16.6 per cent and 19.1 per cent, respectively. The report titled ‘Children in India 2025’ marks its fourth edition since its inception in 2008 and provides an exhaustive analysis concerning the well-being of children across the country.
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, in its official statement, emphasized the depth of the analysis drawn from official health surveys. Data from sources like the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2019-21 and the Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (2016-18) enriched the findings.
For newborns, the statistics indicate that prematurity and low birth weight cause 48 per cent of fatalities within the first 29 days. Birth asphyxia, caused by insufficient oxygen during the delivery, ranks second at 16 per cent, followed by trauma during childbirth and pneumonia at rates of 9 per cent and 8 per cent, respectively.
The report further highlights a troubling trend among teenagers, where approximately 5 per cent are classified as hypertensive. The prevalence peaks in Delhi at 10 per cent, followed closely by Uttar Pradesh at 8.6 per cent, Manipur at 8.3 per cent, and Chhattisgarh at 7 per cent. More than 16 per cent of adolescents across India are also estimated to have high triglycerides, adding urgency to the situation.
Aside from health statistics, the report addresses broader concerns surrounding children’s education and protection. It reveals that 63.1 per cent of children and adolescents in India are literate. Of those aged seven and above, 73.1 per cent achieve literacy rates reflective of regional and social disparities.
Among boys aged 7-9, literacy stands at over 80 per cent, with further impressive figures showing 92 per cent of boys aged 10-14 and 91 per cent aged 15-19 are literate. The scenario for girls is also commendable, with 81.2 per cent of girls aged 7-9, 90 per cent of those aged 10-14, and 86.2 per cent of girls aged 15-19 attaining literacy. This indicates a positive trend, yet the need for continued emphasis on child health remains urgent.
The government’s findings call for immediate attention to the high prevalence of triglycerides among children, with an objective to implement effective health policies and encourage preventive measures necessary for safeguarding future generations.
