Youth and health

General Studies Paper 2

• The youth constitute nearly half of India’s population. Youth contribute to the economic growth of the country as it is the most productive age group being employed. Much of the economic growth potential of India is derived from the vibrant and highly skilled youth population in the country. Youth face a lot of health issues because of their physiological state, behaviours, diet, work and other factors, many of which are related to their behavioural habits.

Youth Health Issues

• Mental Health: Clinical depression has been one of the leading causes of illness and disability among young adults and adolescents, followed by suicide. The reasons include poor scholastic or workplace performance, violence, poverty and unemployment, stigma, marginalisation and discrimination, peer pressure etc. Challenges like non-availability of mental health services as well as not recognising mental health issue as a reason to seek healthcare worsen the situation.
• Alcohol and Drug Use: Alcohol and drug use is largely associated with various high risk behaviours that can cause communicable and non-communicable diseases like HIV/AIDS, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and liver diseases, etc. Also, mental health is compromised in such individuals as well their family members due to financial burden that follows.
• Tobacco Use: Majority of the individuals who use tobacco in any form (smoking or chewing) begin doing so in their adolescence. This is usually combined with alcohol dependence, increasing the risk of various illnesses significantly. Tobacco can cause cancer of oral cavity, throat, oesophagus and lungs and many other health issues. In addition, tobacco consumption increases the risk of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart diseases, stroke, vascular diseases etc.
• Physical Inactivity: It has been estimated that only 20% of the young adults are known to exercise adequately or be involved in sports activities (longer than 30 minutes per day and 5 days a week). Less physical activity causes increase in risk factors and diseases including obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart diseases and other chronic diseases. Physical inactivity can impact mental health adversely.
• Diabetes and Hypertension: Diabetes is becoming potentially epidemic, with 1 in every 10-adult having diabetes. 1 in every 5 adults in India have hypertension. In both cases, majority are not aware that they have diabetes or hypertension. Recent years have seen more and more young people developing diabetes at earlier age. The major reasons for this is reduced physical activity and unhealthy diet.
• Other Health Problems: These include injuries in the form of accidents, self-harm, workplace accidents etc.  The violence in the form of interpersonal violence, domestic violence, workplace violence, bullying ragging, sexual violence can take place.
• These health problems that have early onset during youth can have long bearing effects at older age, specially the chronic diseases. Early onset can reduce longevity, quality of life, increase expenses and can lead to early complications during older age.

Improving Health of the Youth

• There are three secrets of healthy life: Balanced Diet, Regular Physical Activity and Sufficient Sleep. The youth often lack on one or more of these aspects. Though there has been a series of Government initiatives- from both health sector as well as other sectors, however, those are yet to catch the full attention of youth. The Ayushman Bharat programme with health and wellness centre component has focus on nirogi or preventing illness by adoption of healthier lifestyle. ‘FIT India‘ initiative is aimed at increasing exercise habits of people including youth.

Making Health of Youth a Mass Movement

• This requires optimal utilisation of every possible avenue for improving health of this age group. It requires interventions at schools, colleges and workplaces amongst other. It demands that the school health services are strengthened and work as early intervention centres for dealing with the rising incidence of various disease. There is no structured and focused programme to promote health among college students. This is the age group which has queries and concerns mostly unanswered regarding the mental health, sexual health, drug as well as personal health concerns.
• The workplace health has to be promoted by installing weighing scales in bathroom, exercise time and equipment in large offices as well as encouraging healthy food in cafeteria menu. The official policies on timely care seeking when not feeling well and reducing stress in workplace should be promoted. There is a need for improving health seeking behaviour of youth who often resort to self-remedies. There is a need for improving family and community participation in improving health of youth in India.

Healthy Lifestyle

• There is a lot of stigma associated with mental health issues. This is a reason people do not seek health care. However, mental illnesses are very similar to any physical illness. With right advice from trained doctors and with medications, both physical and mental illnesses can be treated. It is time to start talking about mental health There is need to destigmatise mental health.
• Regular physical activity is zero-cost effort, which one can do for good health. According to WHO and other health agencies, people should engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic physical activity per week or at least 75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity. India has been ranked 8th among countries with the lowest physical activity globally.
• Reports have shown that 3 out of 4 adolescents and young people are not physically active enough as per the given recommendations. A study showed that barriers to low physical activity are personal attributes, perceived negative consequences, sociocultural environment, lack of time etc. Identification of these barriers and steps to overcome these are required.
• Regular and at least six to eight hours of sleep boosts immunity, reduces stress and keeps us away from many health Therefore, making one’s sleep cycle regular and ensuring that enough sleep on daily as well as weekly basis has to be an approach of every person.

Sports, Health and Youth

• The leading health body, the World Health Organization has established a Sports and Health programme to capitalise the potential of people to lead healthy lives through promoting participation in sports and working with the sports community. It has been established that physical activity through various sports can boost confidence, improve social life, lead to psychosocial and personal development and help in prevention of substance abuse.
  

Conclusion

• Youth constitute around half of India’s population and are the foundation of country’s economic growth and development. Though, otherwise healthy population, the youth face a host of problems due to their age, behaviour and other factors which can have long-term effect during old age. Prevention of ill health effects in youth can have long-term benefits individually, at family level and at national level. The policies aimed at youth should be targeted at healthier lifestyle, adoption of regular physical activity and health prevention and promotion measures. Healthy youth today will make healthy nation tomorrow.