Health of adolescents globally at tipping point, finds study

There will still be over 1 billion of the world's adolescents (aged 10-24 years) living in countries where they are at risk of experiencing poor health across many indicators, including mental health and overweight by 2030, suggests a new analysis from the second Lancet Commission on adolescent health and well-being.

- Rhythma Kaul

NEW DELHI:

"The health and well-being of adolescents worldwide is at a tipping point, with mixed progress observed over the past three decades. Whilst tobacco and alcohol use has declined and participation in secondary and tertiary education has increased, overweight and obesity have risen by up to eightfold in some countries in Africa and Asia over the past three decades, and there is a growing burden of poor adolescent mental health globally. Additionally, the challenges faced by the world's adolescents are at risk of being exacerbated by emerging global issues including climate change, conflicts and a rapid transition to a more digital world," said commission co-chair, Sarah Baird, George Washington University (USA), in a statement.