Stunting among economically-deprived children in Telangana has come down by 5% in the past seven years though a new health issue – obesity – has turned into a concern. According to a Young Lives study, supported by Oxford University and Centre for Economics and Social Sciences, 2-3% of children in lower mid-income families are either overweight or obese.
The study reveals that the incidence of overweight among children in Telangana who turned 15 years of age in 2016 was 5.9%. In the same age group, 1.4% were obese. The study pointed out that in 2013, the incidence of overweight and obesity in this age group was lower – 5.2% and 1.3% respectively.
It was also found that among young adults who turned 22 years in 2016, 10.4% were overweight and 1.9% were obese.
The study began in 2002 with a sample of 3,000 children belonging to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Children of two age groups – one-year-olds and eight-year-olds – were selected for the study in the beginning. While the one-year-olds turned 15 in 2016, the eight-year-olds turned 22 the same year.
As food security in Telangana households increased from 88% in 2009 to 95% in 2016, the number of children who turned to carbohydrate and fat-rich foods has increased by a small percentage, the lead researchers of the study said. “Most of these children who have become overweight and obese are urban. Their families are financially better among the lower middle-class households and they invest in food items like refined flour and oils that were not traditionally used as they were unaffordable,” Renu Singh, country director of Young Lives India told The Hindu.
Most children who are overweight are inactive most of the day. “Both play and work have reduced over the years among urban children from across different economic backgrounds. This has changed the weight pattern of children from lower economic circumstances too,” Dr. Singh explained.
The obesity index among Indian children is, however, low when compared to children of other three countries – Peru, Vietnam and Ethiopia– that the study covered. “Junk food has not yet permeated the low-income families in India. That is a positive side,” Dr. Singh pointed out.
Food diversity
The number of food items eaten by 15-year-olds in 2016 and in 2009 remained the same, 4.6 and 4.5 respectively, the study noted. “There is a slight increase in the percentage of children consuming pulses, legumes and nuts and decrease in consumption of meat, poultry, fish and milk products in 2016 over 2009,” the study noted, revealing that the food habits of low-income households have remained stable over the years.