Children contribute substantially to the burden of disease in India. Most common are problems with outdoor and household air pollution, with solutions not immediately apparent or implementable. Children are also often exposed to heavy metals, industrial chemicals and pesticides. Despite advances in some regions, many children still do not have adequate access to clean water and improved sanitation. Infectious diseases remain a problem, especially for children living in poverty. The children of these regions are now facing the dual problems of undernutrition and stunting on the one hand, and overnutrition and obesity on the other.
Keywords: India; Karnataka; children; environmental health.