MD · DNB · Fellowship
100 Adolescent Health Thesis Topics
Academic session 2026-2027 · 100 topics
This page lists 100 adolescent health thesis topics for postgraduate candidates for the 2026-2027 academic session. The collection is organized around clinically or administratively relevant questions that can be converted into focused research protocols using a clearly defined population, measurable variables and a study design suited to the facilities and records available at the investigator’s institution.
The adolescent health thesis topics below cover nutrition, obesity, anaemia, blood pressure, mental health, academic stress, bullying, screen and social media use, sleep, physical activity, puberty, menstrual health, reproductive health, substance use, school health and quality of life. Most can be developed as school-based, clinic-based, observational or comparative studies using clearly defined exposures and validated questionnaires while keeping the project manageable within a postgraduate research timeline.
Click any topic to open it in the protocol generator with the title already filled in.
- Prevalence of overweight and obesity and associated lifestyle factors among school-going adolescents: a cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Association between dietary patterns and nutritional status among adolescents aged ten to nineteen years: an observational cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Comparison of obesity and associated cardiovascular risk factors among adolescents studying in government and private schools: a comparative cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Prevalence of abdominal obesity and its association with blood pressure among school-going adolescents: a cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Association between screen time and overweight and obesity among adolescents: an observational cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Comparison of dietary habits and nutritional status among urban and rural adolescents: a comparative cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Prevalence of undernutrition and associated socioeconomic and dietary factors among school-going adolescents: a cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Association between breakfast-skipping and nutritional status among adolescents: an observational cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Comparison of nutritional status and dietary diversity among adolescent boys and girls: a comparative cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Prevalence of anaemia and associated dietary and sociodemographic factors among adolescent girls: a cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Association between menstrual characteristics and anaemia among adolescent girls: an observational cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Comparison of haemoglobin levels and dietary iron intake among vegetarian and non-vegetarian adolescent girls: a comparative cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension and associated risk factors among school-going adolescents: a cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Association between body mass index and blood pressure among adolescents aged ten to nineteen years: an observational cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Comparison of blood pressure profiles among overweight or obese and normal-weight adolescents: a comparative cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Association between physical activity and obesity among school-going adolescents: a cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Prevalence of acanthosis nigricans and its association with obesity and other anthropometric indicators among adolescents: an observational cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Comparison of waist-to-height ratio and body mass index for identification of cardiometabolic risk among adolescents: a comparative cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Association between consumption of ultra-processed foods and obesity among school-going adolescents: a cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Relationship between sleep duration and nutritional status among adolescents: an observational cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Prevalence of depressive symptoms and associated factors among school-going adolescents: a cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Prevalence of anxiety symptoms and their association with academic stress among adolescents: an observational cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Comparison of stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms among adolescents studying in government and private schools: a comparative cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Association between perceived academic pressure and psychological well-being among secondary school students: a cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Prevalence of examination-related stress and associated coping strategies among school-going adolescents: an observational cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Comparison of psychological well-being among adolescents from nuclear and joint families: a comparative cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Association between parental expectations and anxiety symptoms among school-going adolescents: a cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Prevalence of low self-esteem and its associated psychosocial factors among adolescents: an observational cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Comparison of self-esteem and body image satisfaction among adolescent boys and girls: a comparative cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Association between body image dissatisfaction and depressive symptoms among adolescents: a cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Prevalence of bullying victimisation and its association with psychological distress among school-going adolescents: an observational cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Comparison of mental health problems among adolescents experiencing bullying and those not experiencing bullying: a comparative cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Association between family functioning and emotional and behavioural problems among adolescents: a cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Prevalence of loneliness and its association with social support among adolescents: an observational cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Comparison of psychological distress among adolescents with high and low perceived social support: a comparative cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Association between adverse childhood experiences and emotional and behavioural difficulties among adolescents: a cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Prevalence of behavioural and emotional problems among adolescents attending a paediatric outpatient department: an observational cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Comparison of psychosocial well-being among adolescents with and without chronic medical illnesses: a comparative cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Association between resilience and perceived stress among school-going adolescents: a cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Relationship between sleep quality and symptoms of anxiety and depression among adolescents: an observational cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Prevalence of excessive screen time and associated factors among school-going adolescents: a cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Association between recreational screen time and academic performance among adolescents: an observational cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Comparison of sleep quality among adolescents with high and low daily screen exposure: a comparative cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Association between bedtime smartphone use and sleep duration among adolescents: a cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Prevalence of problematic internet use and associated psychosocial factors among adolescents: an observational cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Comparison of problematic internet use among adolescent boys and girls: a comparative cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Association between problematic internet use and academic performance among school-going adolescents: a cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Association between social media use and depressive symptoms among adolescents: an observational cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Comparison of body image satisfaction among adolescents with high and low social media exposure: a comparative cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Association between social media use and self-esteem among adolescents: a cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Prevalence of cyberbullying and its association with psychological distress among school-going adolescents: an observational cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Comparison of anxiety and depressive symptoms among adolescents exposed and not exposed to cyberbullying: a comparative cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Prevalence of sleep problems and associated lifestyle factors among school-going adolescents: a cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Association between sleep duration and academic performance among adolescents: an observational cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Comparison of sleep patterns among adolescents studying in government and private schools: a comparative cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Association between physical activity and psychological well-being among adolescents: a cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Prevalence of physical inactivity and associated factors among school-going adolescents: an observational cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Comparison of physical activity, screen time and sleep duration among overweight and normal-weight adolescents: a comparative cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Association between duration of social media use and sleep quality among school-going adolescents: a cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Relationship between multiple lifestyle behaviours including physical activity, screen time, sleep and dietary habits and academic performance among adolescents: an observational cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Age at menarche and its association with nutritional status among adolescent girls: a cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Prevalence of menstrual disorders and associated factors among school-going adolescent girls: an observational cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Comparison of menstrual characteristics among underweight, normal-weight and overweight adolescent girls: a comparative cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Prevalence of dysmenorrhoea and its impact on school attendance and daily activities among adolescent girls: a cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Association between dysmenorrhoea and psychological stress among adolescent girls: an observational cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Comparison of quality of life among adolescent girls with and without dysmenorrhoea: a comparative cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Menstrual hygiene practices and associated sociodemographic factors among adolescent girls: a cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Association between menstrual hygiene practices and school absenteeism among adolescent girls: an observational cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Comparison of menstrual hygiene knowledge and practices among urban and rural adolescent girls: a comparative cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Knowledge and perceptions regarding menstruation before menarche among adolescent girls: a cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Prevalence of symptoms suggestive of polycystic ovary syndrome and associated lifestyle factors among adolescent girls: an observational cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Comparison of body image and psychological well-being among adolescent girls with and without symptoms suggestive of polycystic ovary syndrome: a comparative cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Knowledge and attitudes regarding puberty and pubertal changes among early adolescents: a cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Association between pubertal timing and body image satisfaction among adolescents: an observational cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Comparison of knowledge regarding pubertal changes among adolescent boys and girls: a comparative cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Knowledge and attitudes regarding sexual and reproductive health among school-going late adolescents: a cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Sources of information regarding sexual and reproductive health and their association with knowledge among adolescents: an observational cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Comparison of reproductive health knowledge among adolescents studying in government and private schools: a comparative cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Knowledge and attitudes regarding sexually transmitted infections among late adolescents: a cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Awareness and perceptions regarding human papillomavirus infection and vaccination among adolescent girls and their parents: a comparative cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Prevalence and pattern of tobacco use and associated factors among adolescents: a cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Association between peer influence and tobacco use among school-going adolescents: an observational cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Comparison of knowledge and attitudes regarding tobacco use among adolescents from urban and rural schools: a comparative cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Prevalence of alcohol use and associated psychosocial factors among late adolescents: a cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Association between peer pressure and substance-use behaviours among adolescents: an observational cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Comparison of risk-taking behaviours among adolescent boys and girls: a comparative cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Prevalence of multiple health-risk behaviours and associated sociodemographic factors among adolescents: a cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Association between parental monitoring and health-risk behaviours among adolescents: an observational cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Comparison of health-risk behaviours among adolescents with high and low family connectedness: a comparative cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Prevalence of bullying perpetration and victimisation and associated factors among school-going adolescents: a cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Association between school connectedness and psychological well-being among adolescents: an observational cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Comparison of health-related quality of life among adolescents studying in government and private schools: a comparative cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Prevalence of school absenteeism and its association with physical and psychological health problems among adolescents: a cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Association between academic performance and health-related quality of life among school-going adolescents: an observational cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Comparison of health-related quality of life among adolescents with and without obesity: a comparative cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Knowledge and practices regarding road safety among school-going adolescents: a cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Association between helmet use and road-safety knowledge and attitudes among adolescent two-wheeler riders: an observational cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Comparison of health literacy among adolescents studying in urban and rural schools: a comparative cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding healthy lifestyle behaviours among school-going adolescents: a cross-sectional study.Get protocol
- Association between family environment, peer relationships, school connectedness and overall psychosocial well-being among adolescents: an observational cross-sectional study.Get protocol
Choosing a Adolescent Health thesis topic
What makes an adolescent health thesis topic practical for postgraduate research?
A practical topic focuses on a clearly defined adolescent population and uses outcomes that can be measured reliably during a single school or clinic encounter. Anthropometry, blood pressure, haemoglobin, lifestyle behaviours, sleep, screen exposure and validated psychosocial questionnaires are commonly measurable variables. Feasibility depends on access to the target population, permission for data collection, expected participation and the time needed for each assessment. Avoid combining too many unrelated outcomes, because a focused primary objective generally produces a cleaner protocol and more interpretable analysis.
Can school-based cross-sectional studies be used for adolescent health theses?
Yes. School-based cross-sectional studies are suitable for questions involving nutritional status, lifestyle, screen use, sleep, academic stress, bullying, menstrual health, health knowledge and other prevalent characteristics. The sampling method should be specified carefully because selecting a few convenient classes can introduce selection bias. The protocol should define the age group, school type, inclusion criteria, questionnaire or measurement method and primary outcome. When comparing government and private schools, urban and rural settings, or boys and girls, the groups and planned statistical comparison should be defined in advance.
How should sensitive mental or reproductive health variables be handled in adolescent research?
Sensitive variables require particularly careful study design. Questions should be age-appropriate, necessary for the stated objectives and preferably drawn from validated instruments when available. Privacy during data collection can materially affect response quality, especially for mental health symptoms, substance use, sexual and reproductive health, bullying or family problems. The protocol should explain how confidentiality will be protected and how incomplete or uncomfortable responses will be handled. Researchers should also plan an appropriate pathway for participants whose responses reveal a clinically important concern requiring further assessment or support.
Thesis and protocol questions
How is a thesis topic different from a thesis protocol?
The topic is the title — the question a study sets out to answer, together with the population and the design. The protocol is the full document built around it: background, review of literature, aims and objectives, inclusion and exclusion criteria, sample size calculation, methodology, statistical plan, ethics considerations, consent documents and references. A topic is agreed with a guide first; the protocol is written afterwards and submitted to the institutional ethics committee.
When does a postgraduate thesis have to be submitted?
For most Indian postgraduate programmes the protocol is submitted within the first six months of joining, and the completed thesis is submitted at least six months before the final examination. Exact deadlines are set by the university, so the departmental circular for the current session takes precedence over any general timeline.
How is sample size decided for a postgraduate thesis?
Sample size follows from the primary objective, not the other way round. A prevalence study is powered from an expected proportion and an acceptable margin of error; a comparative study is powered from the expected difference between groups, the standard deviation, alpha and desired power. The figure should then be checked against the institution's actual case load for the study period, because a statistically ideal sample that cannot be recruited in the time available is not a workable plan.
Does a thesis topic need ethics committee approval?
Yes. Every postgraduate thesis involving human participants, human data or human samples requires clearance from the institutional ethics committee before data collection begins. Approval is granted on the protocol rather than on the title, and the submission usually includes the protocol, the participant information sheet and the consent form in English and in the local language.
What makes a topic realistic for a three-year postgraduate programme?
A workable topic can be completed at a single centre, with equipment and investigations that are already available in routine practice, within roughly eighteen months of data collection. Topics that depend on external funding, specialised assays, multicentre coordination or long follow-up tend to stall. Choosing a condition the department already sees in volume matters more than choosing a novel one.
Can a thesis be published as a research paper afterwards?
Yes, and it is generally expected. A thesis is usually condensed into a paper of around three to four thousand words, restructured into the standard introduction, methods, results and discussion format, with the review of literature shortened considerably. Journals differ in their requirements, and the ethics approval number from the original thesis is normally cited in the methods section.