A growing number of adolescent girls are facing obesity, irregular menstrual cycles, and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), with an AIIMS New Delhi study pointing to changing lifestyles and excessive screen use as concerns that need greater attention.
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, has tracked the health of school-going students for the past three years. Experts involved in the study said the findings underline the need to focus on nutrition, physical activity and digital well-being during adolescence. Geographic Reference
Professor Rajni Sharma from the Pediatric Endocrinology division at AIIMS New Delhi said the institute has been screening students in schools for a range of health concerns.
The programme is being conducted in collaboration with the NGO Society of Endocrine Health in Elderly, Adolescent, and Children. Students are checked for metabolic problems, nutritional health issues, and PCOS, with those requiring further assessment being called to AIIMS.
“Through this study, we visit various schools to screen students for complications like metabolic problems, nutritional health issues, and even PCOS. We screen all these girls, follow them up, and invite those who have problems to AIIMS for further investigation,” Sharma said.
She said the study has now entered a follow-up phase after continuing for three years.
The data has also pointed to a marked difference in obesity levels between private and government schools. According to Sharma, as many as 40 per cent to 45 per cent of girls in private schools are either overweight or obese.
The numbers are also rising in government schools, where up to 15 per cent of girls are reportedly overweight or obese.
“We are seeing a high prevalence of obesity. In private schools, up to 40 per cent to 45 per cent of girls are obese or overweight. Even in government schools, it is increasing, with up to 15 per cent being overweight or obese, figures that were unheard of many years back,” she said.
The study has also found signs of other lifestyle-related health concerns among adolescents.
Sharma said doctors have observed several cases of irregular menstrual cycles among young girls during their investigations. These findings have led the team to identify a high prevalence of PCOS among the students being assessed.
“From our investigations, we have seen a high prevalence of PCOS,” she said.
PCOS can be due to a range of health and hormonal concerns, making early identification important during adolescence.
AIIMS experts have also raised concerns about how much time children spend on phones and other digital platforms.
Renu Sharma, a child psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at AIIMS New Delhi, said social media, messaging platforms and online games have become a major part of daily life for many young adolescents.
“Nowadays children are spending too much time on social media, on WhatsApp, chatting with others, and playing games. Specifically among young adolescents, they are far too in their phones and gaming,” she told ANI.
According to her, excessive screen time can affect children’s mental health and comes with higher stress levels, behavioural problems and obesity. These concerns can also overlap with factors linked to PCOS.
Experts call for digital well-being
Renu Sharma said families need to pay closer attention to how much time children spend on screens.
“We need to address these aspects by setting time limits for children and adolescents. Parents must be aware of how much screen time is appropriate for young people, and digital well-being is one very important aspect we need to take care of,” she said.