Indian Journal of Youth and Adolescent Health (E-ISSN: 2349-2880)

Adolescent and Youth Health in India: A Comprehensive Review of Challenges, Opportunities, and Future Directions

Pratyush Banerjee — 2026-02-18

Adolescents and youth constitute nearly one-third of India’s population, representing a critical demographic segment with immense potential for national development, as well as unique health challenges. This population faces multifaceted health issues, including poor nutritional status, rising prevalence of overweight and obesity, mental health disorders, early initiation of substance use, sexual and reproductive health risks, and limited health literacy. Despite the existence of national policies and programs, such as the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK), significant gaps remain in the availability, accessibility, and quality of adolescent-friendly health services, particularly for marginalized and rural populations. Socioeconomic disparities, gender inequities, cultural barriers, and inadequate awareness further exacerbate health risks among young people. This review synthesizes current evidence on the epidemiology of adolescent health issues in India, examines barriers to equitable healthcare access, and evaluates the effectiveness of existing interventions, including school-based programs, community initiatives, and digital health strategies. Based on this synthesis, the review proposes evidence-based recommendations for strengthening research, policy frameworks, and programmatic approaches to optimize adolescent and youth health outcomes in India. Strengthening comprehensive care, integrating mental health services, improving nutrition, promoting healthy lifestyles, and addressing gender and social inequities are essential for realizing the demographic dividend.

Emotional Well-being of Adolescents in the Digital Era: A Review of Risks, Resilience, and Protective Factors

Swati Tripathi — 2026-02-18

The rapid proliferation of digital technologies has profoundly reshaped the daily lives of adolescents, providing new opportunities for communication, learning, creativity, and identity formation. While these technologies offer significant benefits, they also carry important implications for emotional well-being during this critical developmental period. This review synthesizes current evidence on the complex relationship between digital engagement and adolescent emotional health, examining both the risks and protective mechanisms that shape outcomes.

Key risk factors identified include excessive screen time, exposure to cyberbullying, online harassment, and the psychological effects of social comparison on social media platforms. These factors have been linked to increased levels of anxiety, depression, stress, and other adverse emotional outcomes among adolescents. Conversely, certain protective factors can mitigate these risks, including the development of digital literacy skills, access to supportive social networks, mindful and purposeful engagement with technology, and parental or caregiver guidance.

Health Behaviors and Lifestyle Choices Among Adolescents and Youth: A Review of Trends and Interventions

Sushanta Kumar Mishra — 2026-02-18

Adolescence and youth represent pivotal periods for establishing health behaviors that shape long-term physical, mental, and social well-being. Lifestyle factors—including dietary habits, physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep patterns, substance use, and mental health practices—serve as critical determinants of health outcomes during this developmental stage. Globally, evidence indicates that unhealthy behaviors are prevalent among adolescents, contributing to rising rates of overweight and obesity, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), mental health disorders, and risk-taking behaviors. These trends are influenced by individual, social, environmental, and policy-level determinants, including family practices, peer influences, school environments, urbanization, marketing of unhealthy products, and access to recreational spaces.

This review synthesizes current evidence on adolescent health behaviors, identifies the key determinants shaping lifestyle choices, and evaluates interventions designed to promote healthy habits. It emphasizes the effectiveness of multi-component strategies that combine school-based programs, community engagement, family involvement, and digital or media-based interventions in fostering positive behavior change. The review also examines policy and programmatic approaches at local, national, and global levels, highlighting successes, gaps, and opportunities for strengthening adolescent health promotion.

Social Determinants of Adolescent Health: A Review of Inequalities, Gender Discrimination, and Policy Implications

Palvi Pasricha — 2026-02-18

Abstract

Adolescent health is influenced by a complex interplay of biological, behavioral, and social factors, with social determinants playing a critical role in shaping health trajectories and sustaining inequalities. Socioeconomic disadvantage, gender-based discrimination, educational inequities, and social exclusion significantly affect adolescents’ physical, mental, and sexual and reproductive health outcomes. These social determinants not only limit access to essential health services but also shape health-related knowledge, behaviors, and opportunities, leading to disparities across population groups.

This review synthesizes evidence from both global and Indian contexts to examine how social determinants influence adolescent health, with a particular emphasis on gender-based disparities and the mechanisms through which inequalities are perpetuated. It explores the ways in which poverty, caste, rural-urban disparities, and social marginalization intersect with gender to exacerbate vulnerabilities among adolescents. Additionally, the review evaluates policy responses in India and internationally, highlighting achievements, limitations, and gaps in current strategies aimed at addressing social determinants of health.

Sexual and Reproductive Health of Adolescents and Youth: A Review of Knowledge Gaps, Service Utilization, and Policy Responses

Sudhanshu Maheshwari — 2026-02-18

Abstract

Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is a critical component of overall health and well-being for adolescents and youth, influencing not only their physical health but also psychosocial development, educational attainment, and future reproductive outcomes. In India, despite the existence of comprehensive policy initiatives and national programmes targeting adolescent and youth SRH—such as the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK)—significant challenges remain. These include persistent knowledge gaps, misconceptions about SRH, low utilization of available services, and barriers in implementation at community and facility levels.

This review synthesizes current evidence on SRH knowledge, perceptions, and behaviours among Indian adolescents and youth, highlighting variations across gender, socio-economic status, and geographic location. It also examines patterns and determinants of service utilization, including factors such as accessibility, affordability, cultural norms, and provider attitudes. Additionally, key policy responses are evaluated with respect to their design, effectiveness, and limitations, providing insights into areas that require strengthening.

The review underscores the need for integrated, evidence-based approaches that combine comprehensive sexuality education, community engagement, adolescent-friendly health services, and policy-level interventions to improve awareness, service uptake, and health outcomes. Recommendations for future research and policy development focus on closing knowledge gaps, addressing inequities in service access, and enhancing the implementation and monitoring of SRH programmes for adolescents and youth. Strengthening these areas is essential to empower young people, promote informed decision-making, and ensure their sexual and reproductive well-being.