IMPACT OF SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS ON ADOLESCENT POLYSUBSTANCE USE AND NUTRITIONAL DEMOGRAPHY IN DEVELOPING NATIONS LIKE INDIA

In Developing Nations like India, teenage nutritional demographics and polysubstance use are significantly influenced by socioeconomic status (SES). This study investigates the ways in which adolescent health trajectories and risk behaviors are influenced by poverty, education, and household wealth, based on a synthesis of secondary data and a review of the literature. Empirical data indicates that among Indian adolescents, undernutrition—which manifests as stunting, thinness, and underweight—is substantially correlated with lower SES. According to a systematic analysis, the pooled prevalence of underweight and stunting is roughly 41% and 33%, respectively, with parental education and income being identified as important determinants. The poorest teenagers are disproportionately affected by thinness and stunting, according to regional assessments (such as those conducted in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar), with a significant percentage of socioeconomic inequality being explained by the wealth index. Even after adjusting for SES, these problems are made worse by poor nutritional diversification and poor cleanliness practices. Adolescents are also moving toward processed, high-energy foods at the same time, which highlights a change in nutrition, particularly among urban and higher-income groups. However, research indicates that about one-third of young people in India use alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, or other substances, making substance use among teenagers an extremely widespread problem. Polysubstance usage is frequently associated with lower socioeconomic class, masculine gender, family history, and peer pressure. Adolescents who are undernourished may also be more likely to start using drugs as a coping mechanism or as a result of environmental exposure due to these overlapping vulnerabilities, which include structural poverty, low levels of education, and societal norms. Substance abuse can also worsen nutritional health in a vicious circle. In conclusion, this study argues that SES is one of the underlying causes of the relationship between teenage nutrition and substance use. To address these problems, integrated policy initiatives are required: food programs must be developed in tandem with strategies for preventing substance abuse, especially for adolescents from low-income families. Holistic approaches, such as social protection, education, health promotion, and community engagement, are crucial for lowering the combined burden of polysubstance use and malnutrition in low- and middle-income countries like India.