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Prevalence and associated factors of undernutrition among adolescents in India: a systematic review

Jayashree Parida1, Bhavani Shankara Bagepally2, Prasanna Kumar Patra3

  • 1Indian Council of Medical Research -Regional Medical Research Center, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.

BMC Public Health
|February 28, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Undernutrition remains a significant public health issue for Indian adolescents, with high rates of stunting and underweight. Addressing this requires integrated efforts and targeted interventions for this vulnerable population.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Adolescent Nutrition
  • Systematic Review

Background:

  • Undernutrition, including stunting and underweight, is a critical public health challenge affecting over 253 million adolescents (10-19 years) in India.
  • Despite extensive interventions, nutritional status among Indian adolescents shows limited improvement.
  • This systematic review addresses the prevalence and associated factors of undernutrition in this demographic.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the pooled prevalence of stunting and underweight among Indian adolescents.
  • To identify key factors associated with undernutrition in this population.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic review of peer-reviewed empirical studies published between 2000 and 2021 was conducted.
  • Searches were performed across major e-databases including MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library.
  • The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale assessed study quality, and a random-effect model was used for meta-analysis, with heterogeneity and publication bias assessed.

Main Results:

  • Forty studies encompassing 67,865 adolescents were included.
  • The pooled prevalence of stunting was 41.1% and underweight was 32.6% in Indian adolescents.
  • Stunting was more prevalent in late adolescents, while underweight was higher in early adolescents. Age, gender, socioeconomic status, and parental education were significant associated factors.

Conclusions:

  • Stunting and underweight prevalence among Indian adolescents remains alarmingly high.
  • Integrated strategies are crucial for reducing undernutrition.
  • Further research is needed to identify specific priorities for intervention.
Abstract

Keywords:
AdolescentsIndiaStuntingUndernutritionUnderweight

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