Study Finds That Two Out Of Five Children In India Have An Unhealthy BMI

In India, a country where malnutrition among children is a major concern in rural areas, a study has shown that the BMI of kids in urban areas is also cause for concern. The study, conducted by EduSports, a physical education and school sports enterprise, found that a concerning amount of children do not have appropriate BMIs.

What’s BMI?

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is calculated by dividing an individual’s mass by their height squared. The value is then compared with a standardised chart that tells the individual whether they are underweight, normal, overweight, obese or clinically obese.

What Did The Study Find?

First reported in Times of India, the study, conducted by looking at 1.48 lakh students in 87 cities, found that two out of five children in the urban areas surveyed had an unhealthy BMI. Meanwhile, 50% did not have adequate lower body strength.

What Can Be Done?

While EduSports suggests a better planned and executed fitness program in schools, we also think diet also should play a major role in combating the problem. Many kids enjoy a diet of junk food, from biscuits and chocolates each day to packets of instant noodles every other day.

Instead of giving kids these foods each day, parents could try to keep them as treats and instead fill their kids’ diets with vegetables and fruits. Try out these recipes, which can make vegetables more appealing to your child!

Combining both fitness programs and a better diet will go a long way in combatting the BMI problem and help children lead healthier lives.