Heat and humidity will reduce the height of children, know how many dwarfs will there be by 2050?
According to this study, if the situation remains the same, then by 2050 the problem of stunting may increase in more than three million children in South Asia.
Dwarfism problem
Climate change is no longer limited to the weather; it is also directly impacting human health. This could have serious consequences, especially in densely populated regions like South Asia. A recent international study warns that increasing heat and humidity could seriously impact children's physical development in the coming years.
According to this study, if current conditions persist, stunting could increase to more than three million children in South Asia by 2050. Stunting refers to children being undersized for their age, which impacts both their physical and mental development.
What does this study say?
This research was conducted by scientists at the University of California, Santa Barbara, USA, and published in the prestigious journal Science. The researchers sought to understand how exposure to hot and humid weather during pregnancy affects children's health. Specifically, they studied a key indicator in children under five years of age called height-for-age. This refers to how closely a child's height matches the average standard for their age.
Why is it more effective on pregnant women?
Many changes occur in a woman's body during pregnancy. For example, weight gain, hormonal changes occur, and the body feels more heat than usual. These factors make pregnant women more susceptible to heat stress. If the weather is very hot and humid, keeping the body cool becomes even more difficult. Research has found that the early and late months of pregnancy are the most risky. The fetus is very fragile in the beginning, and the mother's body is under more pressure in the final months.
Why is humidity more dangerous than heat?
The study revealed that not only heat, but the combination of heat and humidity is more harmful. This is because humidity prevents sweat from evaporating, preventing the body from cooling itself. The researchers used Wet Bulb Globe Temperature, which takes into account not only temperature but also factors such as humidity, sunlight, and wind speed. The study found that if the temperature rises above 29 degrees Celsius, the number of live births begins to decline within a few months. Prolonged exposure to temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius can increase the incidence of premature births.
How many children could be dwarfs by 2050?
According to the study, if climate change continues at this pace, more than three million children in South Asia could be stunted by 2050. This number is extremely worrying, as the impact of stunting is not limited to height, but also impacts children's health, education, and future potential.
The biggest threat to South Asia
Researchers say that global temperatures are steadily rising, and with them will come increasing hot and humid conditions. South Asia, home to the world's largest population, will be one of the regions most affected by these changes. The study clearly states that if we focus only on temperature and ignore humidity, we will underestimate the true dangers of climate change.