National Girl Child Day 2025: From eating disorders to obesity; common health issues faced by adolescent girls

National Girl Child Day is celebrated every year on January 24 to highlight the challenges and inequalities faced by girls. The day also aims to promote awareness about girls’ rights and provide them with support and opportunities. The day was established in 2008 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.

Girls face a variety of problems and this includes health issues as well. There are many health issues at different stages of life. Here are some of the common health issues faced by adolescent girls.

Obesity and overweight

Obesity is becoming a major problem among adolescent girls due to poor diet, lack of physical activity, and sometimes genetics. This can lead to serious health issues like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure in the future.

Eating disorders

Conditions such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are extremely common. Teen girls are particularly vulnerable to developing eating disorders due to concerns about body image, the influence of social media or emotional stress. These conditions can have serious physical and mental health consequences.

Hormonal changes and menstrual irregularities

As teen girls go through puberty, hormonal fluctuations can lead to various health problems, including irregular menstrual periods, severe PMS or painful menstrual periods. These changes can sometimes affect appetite, energy levels and mood, which, in turn, can affect eating habits and lead to emotional eating.

Mental health challenges (anxiety, depression, stress)

Teen girls are more likely to struggle with mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and stress. These can affect eating habits, which can lead to overeating or undereating to cope.

Nutrient deficiencies

Due to the pressure of dieting or disordered eating, some teen girls don’t get the nutrients they need. This can eventually lead to deficiencies in things like iron, calcium, and vitamin D. Poor nutrition can lead to fatigue, bone health problems, a weakened immune system, and other long-term problems.