Daijiworld Media Network – Chandigarh

Chandigarh, Sep 29: A government report has revealed that more than one-third of Indian children aged 5-9 may have high triglyceride levels, a blood fat linked to increased risk of heart disease later in life. Jammu and Kashmir, West Bengal, and northeastern states recorded the highest prevalence, while Kerala and Maharashtra showed the lowest.

According to Children in India 2025, released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation during the 29th Conference of Central and State Statistical Organisations (CoCSSO) on September 25, over 67% of children in West Bengal, 64% in Sikkim, 57% in Assam, 55% in Nagaland, and 50% in Jammu & Kashmir were estimated to have high triglycerides. Kerala and Maharashtra reported 16.6% and 19.1%, respectively.

The report also highlighted that prematurity and low birth weight remain the leading causes of newborn deaths (48%), followed by birth asphyxia (16%) and pneumonia (9%). Among teenagers, 5% were classified as hypertensive, with Delhi (10%), Uttar Pradesh (8.6%), Manipur (8.3%) and Chhattisgarh (7%) topping the list. High triglycerides were found in over 16% of adolescents.

In education, 63.1% of children and adolescents were literate, rising to 73.1% for those aged seven and above. Male literacy stood at over 80% for ages 7-9 and 92% for 10-14, while female literacy was 81.2% and 90%, respectively.

The report, compiled using data from the National Family Health Survey 2019-21 and the Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey 2016-18, also assessed aspects of child development, protection, and crime against children, offering a comprehensive overview of the well-being of India’s youth.