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195 million Indians are affected by arthritis-related pain, as nutritional gaps and sedentary lifestyles impact bone health at younger ages
New Delhi, 17th February 2026: The everyday Indian dietary pattern centred around tea, roti, and dal is increasingly contributing to declining bone health and early joint problems across age groups, cautioned Dr. Simon Thomas, Senior Director – Robotic Joint Replacements & Orthopaedics at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Shalimar Bagh. He said the hospital is witnessing a growing number of patients in their 30s and 40s reporting knee pain, backache, and stiffness, conditions previously more common among the elderly.
According to the study, conducted under the WHO-Community Oriented Program for Control of Rheumatic Diseases (WHO-COPCORD), nearly 195 million Indians, one in six, suffer from arthritis-related pain, with women accounting for almost two-thirds of cases, reflecting a widening national burden. Long-standing nutritional deficiencies are emerging as a significant contributor. Diets lacking adequate calcium, vitamin D, high-quality protein, and essential micronutrients gradually weaken bones and cartilage. Excessive tea consumption may reduce calcium absorption, while limited sunlight exposure worsens vitamin D deficiency.
Sedentary lifestyles, prolonged sitting, and limited weight-bearing physical activity further compound these deficiencies, accelerating bone and joint degeneration at a younger age. Women remain particularly vulnerable due to lower baseline bone density and hormonal transitions over time.
“Many individuals assume that regular home-cooked meals automatically meet all nutritional requirements. However, repeated meal patterns low in bone-supporting nutrients create gradual deficiencies. Increasingly, younger patients are presenting with early cartilage thinning and reduced bone density that could have been prevented with timely correction,” Dr. Thomas noted.
He further emphasised that bone deterioration often progresses silently. “Persistent joint discomfort, muscle cramps, or stiffness should not be normalised as stress or ageing. Without timely evaluation, these deficiencies can progress to osteopenia or osteoporosis, significantly increasing fracture risk later in life,” he cautioned.
Early screening and preventive action remain critical. Simple blood tests to evaluate vitamin D and calcium levels, improved protein intake, weight-bearing exercise, and corrective supplementation where required can help preserve long-term mobility. With joint disorders affecting a substantial section of the population, addressing preventable nutritional gaps has become an urgent health priority.
