Adolescent Malnutrition (Double Burden)
Social Justice & Development
- PYQs2
- Articles1
Background
This concept is crucial for understanding India's public health challenges, demographic dividend, the growing burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), and the effectiveness of welfare schemes. It links to social justice, human resource development, and sustainable development goals, requiring multi-sectoral policy interventions.
Malnutrition in adolescents is a critical public health challenge in India, characterized by a 'double burden' where undernutrition (stunting) coexists with rising overnutrition (obesity and associated metabolic risks). This complex issue has profound long-term implications for individual health, national productivity, and healthcare expenditure.
Facts & tables
- NFHS-6 (2023-24) Findings
- Shows rising obesity (15-49 years) and high blood sugar (15+ years) in both men and women, affecting rural populations too.
- CNNS (2019) Data
- Indicates 27.4% of Indian adolescents are stunted, while obesity is also rising, particularly among urban youth.
- 'Thin-Fat' Phenotype
- Observed where lean-appearing children carry dangerous metabolic risks (e.g., high triglycerides), a 'metabolic time bomb'.
- Key Drivers
- Rapidly increasing consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs) and sugary beverages, coupled with sedentary lifestyles and cereal-heavy diets.
| Indicator | Men (15+ years) | Women (15-49 years) |
|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 27.3% (from 22.9%) | 30.7% (from 24%) |
| High Blood Sugar | 20.9% (from 15.6%) | 17.8% (from 13.5%) |
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Social Justice & Development |
| Conceptual area | Welfare Schemes & Social Policies |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN) | Researches and advises policy |
| World Health Organization (WHO) | Researches and advises policy |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
Prelims angle: Policy measures
- Double burden: Undernutrition (stunting) + Overnutrition (obesity, metabolic risk) in adolescents.
- Key drivers: Sedentary lifestyle, UPFs, sugary drinks, inadequate protective foods.
- Consequences: Early NCDs (diabetes, heart disease), increased healthcare costs.
- Solutions: School-based interventions (midday meals, physical activity, nutrition literacy), policy (UPF regulation, taxation).
- Key bodies: ICMR-NIN (Let's Fix Our Food initiative), WHO.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2017 | Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures |
Timeline
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Social Justice & Development
Conceptual area
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Welfare Schemes & Social Policies
Conceptual area
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Prelims 2017
Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures
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Prelims 2026
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
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How schools can tackle adolescent malnutrition
India faces a 'double burden' of malnutrition in adolescents, with persistent stunting alongside rapidly rising obesity and metabolic risks driven by lifestyle changes and UPFs. This necessitates comprehensive school-based and policy interventions to prevent long-term health and economic consequences.
See also
No related topics linked yet.
Past papers
2017–2026 · 2 questions
In the news
How schools can tackle adolescent malnutrition
India faces a 'double burden' of malnutrition in adolescents, with persistent stunting alongside rapidly rising obesity and metabolic risks driven by lifestyle changes and UPFs. This necessitates comprehensive school-based and policy interventions to prevent long-term health and economic consequences.
Try these PYQs
Which of the following are the objectives of ‘National Nutrition Mission’?
1. To create awareness relating to malnutrition among pregnant women and lactating mothers.
2. To reduce the incidence of anaemia among young children, adolescent girls and women.
3. To promote the consumption of millets, coarse cereals and unpolished rice.
4. To promote the consumption of poultry eggs.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
The National Nutrition Mission, also known as Poshan Abhiyaan, has several objectives. - The first objective is to create awareness relating to malnutrition among pregnant women and lactating mothers. - The second objective is to reduce the incidence of anaemia among young children, adolescent girls and women. These two objectives are clearly stated in the mission's goals. Hence, statements 1 & 2 are correct. However, the promotion of the consumption of millets, coarse cereals and unpolished rice, and the promotion of the consumption of poultry eggs are not explicitly stated as objectives of the mission. Hence, statement 3 & 4 are incorrect.
Which of the following statements with regard to the persons with disabilities in India is/are correct ?
1. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, an Act passed by the Parliament of India in 2018, mandates reservation in education and employment, places a legal duty on Governments to ensure accessibility and non-discrimination.
2. The Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan focuses on achieving universal accessibility for Persons with Disabilities across three key domains — built infrastructure, transport systems and information and communication technology.
3. The National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC) is a public sector organisation set up by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs as a not-for-profit company to promote entrepreneurship among Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
Select the answer using the code given below :
Statement 1 is Incorrect: The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act was passed by the Parliament of India in 2016, not 2018. It aligns with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and places a legal obligation on governments to ensure non-discrimination and accessibility. It also mandates reservations for PwDs, such as increasing the quota to 4% in government employment and 5% in higher education. Statement 2 is Correct: The Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign) was launched in 2015 by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD). It focuses on achieving universal accessibility for Persons with Disabilities across three key domains: built infrastructure (barrier-free public buildings), transport systems (accessible railways, airports, and roads), and information and communication technology (accessible government websites and digital ecosystems). Statement 3 is Incorrect: The National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC) is a Central Public Sector Undertaking registered as a not-for-profit company to provide concessional financial assistance to promote entrepreneurship, self-employment, and higher education among PwDs. However, it was set up under the aegis of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, not the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Therefore, the correct option is B.