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29 June 2026

Adolescent malnutrition in India

The topic provides critical, data-driven insights from NFHS-6 and ICMR-NIN reports on the 'double burden' of malnutrition, which is a core theme for GS2 and GS3 questions regarding food security, public health policy, and welfare management.

2 min read 2 questions 2 prelims

Notes

  • NFHS-6 (2023-24) data indicates rising obesity: 30.7% in women (up from 24%) and 27.3% in men (up from 22.9%) aged 15-49.
  • High blood sugar prevalence in individuals aged 15+ has increased to 20.9% for men and 17.8% for women.
  • India faces a 'double burden' of malnutrition: persistent undernutrition (stunting) alongside surging obesity and metabolic risks.
  • The 'thin-fat' phenotype is prevalent, where children appear lean but carry high metabolic risk (e.g., 35% of children under five are stunted but have adult-level triglycerides).
  • CNNS (2019) reported 27.4% of Indian adolescents are stunted.
  • Ultra-Processed Food (UPF) consumption in India is surging at over 13.7% annually.
  • Dietary Guidelines for Indians 2024 recommend that half of the daily plate volume should consist of fruits and vegetables.
  • The 'Let’s Fix Our Food' (LFOF) initiative, led by ICMR-NIN, focuses on evidence-based policy, nutrition literacy, and regulatory frameworks for HFSS (High Fat, Sugar, Salt) foods.
  • A 2025 Lancet study projects 21.8 crore men and 23.1 crore women in India will be overweight by 2050, with the steepest rise in the 15-24 age group.

Questions

  1. Discuss the concept of the 'double burden' of malnutrition in the context of Indian adolescents. How does the 'thin-fat' phenotype complicate public health interventions? 150 words
    Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min
    0 / 150 words 8:00
  2. Schools are increasingly viewed as critical sites for public health intervention in India. Evaluate the role of educational institutions in mitigating the rise of non-communicable diseases and addressing the surge in Ultra-Processed Food (UPF) consumption among youth. 250 words
    Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min
    0 / 250 words 11:00

Prelims

  1. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Indians 2024, what proportion of a balanced plate should ideally consist of fruits and vegetables by volume?

  2. Which organization leads the 'Let’s Fix Our Food' (LFOF) initiative aimed at creating healthier food environments for adolescents?

Syllabus

Topics

Sources

250words.in · https://250words.in/daily/2026-06-29/adolescent-malnutrition-in-india