Archive · 28 Nov 2025
Climate Vulnerability Linked to Underweight Children in India
A new study found that children in parts of India that are very affected by climate change, like floods and heatwaves, are more likely to be underweight.
These areas also have more problems with healthcare, like babies being born outside of hospitals.
The researchers looked at data from different surveys and found that in these vulnerable areas, children are 25% more likely to be underweight, and there's a higher chance of other health issues like being too short or too thin.
This shows that climate change can make it harder for people to stay healthy, especially in places that are already struggling.
The study suggests that we need to pay more attention to how climate change affects health, especially in poorer countries.
Children in highly climate-vulnerable districts in India are 25% more likely to be underweight compared to less vulnerable districts.
Highly vulnerable districts show consistent underperformance in health targets, including stunting and access to healthcare.
There is a 38% higher likelihood of non-institutional deliveries in highly vulnerable districts.
The study found a 6% higher chance of wasting and a 14% higher chance of stunting in these districts.
The research highlights the potential of climate change to undermine progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in India.
- Who
- Researchers from Delhi’s Institute of Economic Growth
- What
- Studied the impact of climate vulnerability on public health outcomes in India
- When
- Study published in the journal PLOS ONE
- Where
- India, focusing on climate-vulnerable districts
- Why
- To understand how climate vulnerability affects health targets and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Study Focus
- Impact of climate vulnerability on public health outcomes in India
- Key Finding
- Children in highly vulnerable districts 25% more likely to be underweight
- Additional Health Risks
- 38% higher likelihood of non-institutional deliveries, 6% higher chance of wasting, 14% higher chance of stunting
- Data Sources
- National Family Health Survey-Round 5 and Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA)
- Population at Risk
- 80% of India's population lives in areas highly vulnerable to extreme weather events
- Research Institution
- Institute of Economic Growth, Delhi
- Journal
- PLOS ONE