Children and high triglycerides: More than a third of India’s children aged 5–9 could have elevated triglycerides, with the highest prevalence reported from Jammu & Kashmir, West Bengal and several Northeastern states, according to Children in India 2025, released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation at the 29th Conference of Central and State Statistical Organisations.
The report estimates high triglycerides among young children at 67% in West Bengal, 64% in Sikkim, 57% in Assam, 55% in Nagaland and 50% in Jammu & Kashmir, while Kerala (16.6%) and Maharashtra (19.1%) recorded the lowest prevalence. Elevated triglycerides in childhood are associated with higher cardiovascular risk later in life.
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Drawing on data from government sources including NFHS-5 (2019–21) and the Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (2016–18), the report also notes that prematurity and low birth weight account for 48% of neonatal deaths in the first 28 days, followed by birth asphyxia/trauma (16%) and pneumonia (9%).
Among adolescents, 16% were estimated to have high triglycerides and about 5% were classified as hypertensive, with the highest teenage hypertension recorded in Delhi (10%), followed by Uttar Pradesh (8.6%), Manipur (8.3%) and Chhattisgarh (7%).
On education, the publication says 63.1% of India’s children and adolescents are literate; among those aged seven and above, literacy stands at 73.1%. Literacy among boys is 80% in the 7–9 age group, 92% at 10–14 and 91% at 15–19, while among girls it is 81.2%, 90% and 86.2%, respectively.
The report also compiles indicators on crimes involving children and child protection, presenting what the ministry describes as a comprehensive view of child wellbeing across health, nutrition, education and safety.
