Over the past few decades, urban centers, which once offered a lot of space and advantages for children’s growth and physical fitness compared to rural areas, have declined steadily since 1990
Release date – Sunday 23 July 08:00
Hyderabad: A multi-institutional nationwide study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has revealed that the attractiveness of cities, especially their positive effect on the growth and development of children and adolescents aged 5 to 19, is diminishing, including in Hyderabad State According to the Nutrition Institute (NIN).
The ICMR study, published in the journal Nature, shows that over the past few decades, urban centers used to offer great space and advantages for children’s growth and physical health compared to rural areas, but since 1990 has been steadily declining. March, pointed out.
In the 1990s, children and adolescents living in urban areas were taller and had a better body mass index (BMI) than those living in rural areas, according to the study, “The Diminishing Benefits of Urban Living on Child and Adolescent Development.” research and development,” said.
Such growth benefits and opportunities for holistic development of children in urban centers motivate parents to move from rural to urban areas. However, an analysis of growth and overall development data from 1990 to 2020 shows that the benefits of urban living to the country’s growth and development are declining.
“Researchers have found that living in urban areas may not provide as many benefits for children’s growth and development as previously thought,” the study said.
By 2020, the height advantage of urban school children will be smaller. In emerging economies such as India, the height of children in rural areas is converging with that of urban children. In fact, children in rural areas are consistently taller than urban children.
“Understanding these nuances can help create a more supportive environment for our children and grandchildren,” said the ICMR researchers.
