Parliament Question: Hypertension among Children

GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 3464 TO BE ANSWERED ON13THMARCH 2026 HYPERTENSIONAMONG CHILDREN 3464.SHRIK C VENUGOPAL: Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased tostate: (a) whether the Government has taken note of the rising prevalence of hypertension among childrenandadolescents, particularly inurbanareas, if so, the detailsthereof; (b) whether routine bloodpressure screening is beingintegrated intoexisting childhealth and nutrition programmes such as Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), POSHAN Abhiyaanandschool-based initiatives, if so, the detailsthereof; (c) the steps being taken to address lifestyle-related risk factors among children, including unhealthydiets, physical inactivity andexcessive screen time;and (d) whether guidelines/training are being provided to Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and frontline staff for earlyidentificationandreferral of childrenwith elevatedbloodpressure, if so, the detailsthereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATEIN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTHAND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYAPATEL) (a) & (b) Under Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) of the National Health Mission (NHM), Mobile HealthTeams (MHT) conducthealth screening of children from birth to18 years for the four D’s: Defects at birth, Diseases, Deficiencies, and Development delays at Anganwadi and Schools.This basic health screening of children is conducted using a structured format, which includes measuring height, weight (BMI), and blood pressure for early identification and referral to public health facilities for management and follow-up across bothurbanandrural areasinthe country. (c) Government of India implements the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) under which Adolescent FriendlyHealth Centres (AFHCs) are established across the country, wherein the adolescents are provided with counselling services on major adolescent health issues including the importance of taking balanced and nutritious diet, role of physical activity in keeping the healthy body and reducing screen time. Health and Wellness Ambassadors (HWAs) of the School Health and Wellness Programme (SHWP) conductregular sessions on 11 themes including nutrition, health and sanitation, growing up healthy, and promotion of healthy lifestyle. The awareness is done through dissemination of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) material including audiovisual in the schools andcommunitybythe States/UTs. (d) The frontline staff inNHM, like Mobile HealthTeams (MHTs)underRBSK, are regularly trained using RBSK Job aids and Resource Manual for early identification and referral of the childrenidentified with Hypertension. ******