As children spend more time on screens and less time outdoors, doctors are reporting a worrying rise in vitamin D deficiency, even among youngsters who otherwise appear healthy.
Despite living in a country that enjoys abundant sunshine throughout the year, a growing number of children are being diagnosed with low vitamin D levels. Health experts say modern lifestyles, dominated by screen based activities and limited outdoor play, are increasingly to blame.
The Hidden Impact of an Indoor Lifestyle
From online classes and tutoring sessions to video games and social media, children's daily routines have become increasingly centred around screens. While technology has transformed learning and entertainment, it has also significantly reduced the amount of time many children spend outdoors.
This shift is raising concerns among healthcare professionals, as regular exposure to sunlight is one of the body's primary sources of vitamin D.
However, doctors say they are now seeing more children with vitamin D deficiency, including those who seem healthy and active on the surface.
"There has been a noticeable increase in vitamin D deficiency among children, even among those who appear otherwise healthy," said Dr Amit Gupta, Senior Consultant Paediatrician and Neonatologist at Motherhood Hospitals, Noida.
Why Doctors Are Concerned
According to Dr Gupta, many children now spend less than 30 minutes outdoors each day. Between school commitments, tuition classes and recreational screen use, opportunities for sunlight exposure have become increasingly limited.
"In a typical week, we see three to four children between the ages of seven and 16 with low vitamin D levels. Even children who look physically healthy are often found to have significant deficiencies," he explained.
A deficiency may lead to:
- Weak or fragile bones
- Muscle aches and weakness
- Persistent fatigue
- Delayed growth and development
- Increased risk of fractures
Greater susceptibility to infections
Experts warn that vitamin D deficiency often develops gradually and can easily go unnoticed until it begins to affect a child's health and daily activities.
“Sunlight and a healthy diet matter just as much as taking supplements. A brief daily walk outdoors lets the skin produce vitamin D naturally. Eating foods high in calcium and protein such as dairy, leafy greens, almonds, tofu, and oily fish helps keep bones strong and supports overall bone health” said Dr. Lokesh Venkat Bheemisetty, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Arete Hospitals, Hyderabad.
Dr Sheffali Gulati, Head of the Department of Paediatric Neurology at AIIMS, explained that the first few years of life are critical for brain development. When young children spend long periods watching mobile phones or television screens, opportunities for real-life interaction are reduced. As a result, some children may begin to display behaviours that resemble autism.
How Parents Can Help
To support healthy vitamin D levels, doctors recommend that children spend at least 45 to 60 minutes outdoors each day. Even a short period of morning sunlight can help stimulate the body's natural production of vitamin D.
A nutritious, balanced diet can also play an important role in supporting bone health and maintaining adequate vitamin D levels.
Foods that may help include:
- Milk, yoghurt, paneer and cheese for calcium
- Ragi and almonds to support bone strength
- Dark green leafy vegetables for essential nutrients
- Egg yolks as a natural source of vitamin D
- Oily fish such as salmon and sardines
- Mushrooms, which contain small amounts of vitamin D
Doctors also encourage parents to limit recreational screen time where possible and promote outdoor play, physical activity and face to face social interaction.
When to Seek Medical Advice
Parents should consider consulting a paediatrician if their child experiences ongoing fatigue, frequent bone or muscle pain, delayed growth, recurrent infections or reduced physical activity.
In some cases, a doctor may recommend vitamin D testing or supplementation to correct a deficiency.
As childhood becomes increasingly dominated by indoor activities and screen use, doctors say the issue is no longer a lack of sunshine but a lack of exposure to it.
Encouraging children to spend more time outdoors each day may be one of the simplest and most effective ways to support healthy bones, strengthen immunity and promote overall growth and wellbeing.
