Vitamin D and zinc deficiencies are most common among Indian adolescents, according to a new government report. The findings raise concerns about the long-term health of children as they grow into adulthood. The report, Children in India, was released by the Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. It examines children’s health and well-being across indicators such as survival, nutrition, development, and protection.
The data shows that vitamin D deficiency affects 24 percent of adolescents aged 10–19, compared with 18 percent in children aged 5–9 and 14 percent in children aged 1–4. Zinc deficiency was also highest among adolescents, with 32 percent affected, compared with 19 percent in children aged 1–4 and 17 percent in those aged 5–9.
Why vitamin D matters
Vitamin D is essential for bone health, growth, and immunity. Its deficiency can increase risks of weak bones, frequent infections, and other chronic conditions. A 2022 review described vitamin D deficiency as a global public health issue, even in countries with abundant sunlight.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports the same year said India’s high prevalence of deficiency in a sun-rich environment is due to limited exposure to sunlight, poor dietary intake of vitamin D and calcium, high consumption of phytates and phosphates, caffeine intake, lactose intolerance, darker skin pigmentation, pollution blocking ultraviolet rays, genetic variations, and higher body fat.
The government report echoed these findings. It said, “Vitamin D deficiency was observed across all age groups, with prevalence highest in adolescents.” The report further mentioned that adolescent girls in urban areas were particularly vulnerable.
Zinc also plays a key role in growth and immune function. Its shortage is linked to stunting, poor development, and greater vulnerability to illness. The report found that 32 percent of adolescents lacked adequate zinc. In contrast, 19 percent of children aged 1–4 and 17 percent of those aged 5–9 showed signs of deficiency.
A 2021 study attributed around 4 percent of global child morbidity and mortality to zinc deficiency. Another study the same year reported that zinc deficiency was most common in adolescents, affecting about 31 percent. It also noted higher prevalence among children who were severely stunted, underweight, or recently ill with diarrhoea, malaria, dengue, or respiratory infections. The government report said, “Zinc deficiency was significantly higher among adolescents, indicating nutritional gaps during the growth spurt years.”
The report also recorded lifestyle-related health problems among adolescents aged 10–19. It found pre-diabetes in 10.4 percent, diabetes in 0.6 percent, high total cholesterol in 3.7 percent, high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in 3.8 percent, low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in 28.2 percent, and hypertension in 4.9 percent. The data highlights how adolescents are increasingly affected by conditions once considered adult diseases.
Triglycerides in younger children
High triglyceride levels were more common in children aged 5–9 than in older adolescents. About 34 percent of children in this age group had raised triglycerides, compared with 16 percent of adolescents. The prevalence was highest in states such as West Bengal, Sikkim, and Assam for younger children, and in West Bengal, Sikkim, and Manipur for adolescents.
Triglycerides are fats that circulate in the blood. Persistently high levels in children can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease later in life. Researchers warn that raised levels during childhood may contribute to early onset of heart disease in adulthood.
The report also provided data on infant and child mortality. India’s infant mortality rate (IMR) in 2023 stood at 25 deaths per 1,000 live births, slightly lower than 26 in 2022. Male infants had a higher rate (26) than female infants (25).
The rural IMR was 28, significantly higher than the urban rate of 18. Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh reported the highest IMR at 37, while Kerala recorded the lowest at 5. The under-five mortality rate was 29 per 1,000 live births. Rural areas recorded 33, while urban areas reported 20. The highest rates were in Madhya Pradesh (44), Uttar Pradesh (42), and Chhattisgarh (41). Kerala again reported the lowest, with 8 deaths per 1,000 live births.
Large-scale study on vitamin D
Alongside the government report, new research has provided more detailed evidence on vitamin D levels in Indian children. A multicentre study conducted between 2016 and 2017 assessed 2,500 children aged 5–18 across six states: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Tamil Nadu, and Punjab.
The study used liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS), considered the gold standard for vitamin D measurement. It found that only 36.8 percent of children had sufficient vitamin D levels. About 26.2 percent were deficient and 37 percent had insufficient levels. If higher cut-offs suggested by clinical guidelines were used, just 10 percent of children had adequate levels, while 63 percent were deficient.
The study reported, “Vitamin D deficiency was significantly higher in girls than boys and in urban compared to rural populations.” It also found wide variations between states. Children in Tamil Nadu had the highest levels of sufficiency, while those in Maharashtra had the highest proportion of deficiency.
The study further mentioned that children with vitamin D deficiency had higher body fat, higher energy intake, and lower sun exposure compared with those who had sufficient levels.
These findings underline the scale of nutritional challenges facing Indian children. Adolescents, who require more nutrients during growth, are the most affected by vitamin D and zinc shortages. At the same time, younger children face risks from rising triglyceride levels. Both trends point toward potential long-term health consequences, including stunted growth, weaker immunity, and higher chances of developing chronic diseases.
The report said, “Addressing micronutrient deficiencies and metabolic risks in children is critical for improving health outcomes in the next generation.”
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