An estimated 28.4 percent of children in the age group of five to nine years in Jharkhand are at risk of developing heart diseases in the future. According to the recently released report “Children in India 2025” by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, this percentage of children in the state were found to have high triglycerides. Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood, and when present in higher levels than the prescribed standard, the likelihood of developing heart disease in the future increases. The relief, however, is that the rate of children with high triglycerides in Jharkhand is lower than the national average. Across the country, about 34 percent of children are estimated to have higher levels of this fat in their blood.
States with the Highest and Lowest Risk
According to the report, the rate of high triglycerides among children aged five to nine is estimated to be the highest in Jammu & Kashmir, Bengal, and the northeastern states. In West Bengal, 67 percent of children, in Sikkim 64 percent, Nagaland 55 percent, Assam 57 percent, and Jammu & Kashmir 50 percent of children are estimated to have high triglyceride levels. On the other hand, Kerala and Maharashtra, with 16.6 percent and 19.1 percent respectively, are among the states with the lowest prevalence. It is worth noting that this report has been prepared using data compiled from the National Family Health Survey (2019–21) and the Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (2016–18).
High Cholesterol Lowest in Jharkhand After Madhya Pradesh
Another encouraging fact has emerged for Jharkhand in the report. According to it, after Madhya Pradesh, the states of Jharkhand and Rajasthan have the lowest number of children with high total cholesterol. In both these states, only 0.7 percent of children in the age group of five to nine years suffer from this problem. Madhya Pradesh has the lowest prevalence, with only 0.3 percent of children affected. At the national level, 3.7 percent of children in this age group are found to have high cholesterol.
What Should Be the Triglyceride Level?
The triglyceride level should generally be less than 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) for healthy adults, and less than 90 mg/dl for children and adolescents (aged 10–19 years). If the level is between 150 and 199 mg/dl, it is considered borderline. Between 200 and 499 mg/dl, it is considered high. If it exceeds 500 mg/dl, it is very high.
High-Fat Foods Major Cause: Expert’s Opinion
According to cardiologist Dr. Pankaj Ranjan, the excessive use of butter, oil, and other high-fat foods is a major cause of high triglycerides. Among children, the consumption of fast food and high-fat foods has increased rapidly. This is also a reason for high cholesterol. According to him, in order to reduce the risk of heart diseases in children in the future, they should be kept away from such foods.
