Who doesn’t like luxury? And when luxury meets necessity, it transforms the way we live every day. Especially during Summer, most people prefer to sit in an air conditioner. This lets them escape the heat, stay productive, and enjoy uninterrupted comfort indoors. Whether it’s a workplace, home or even a mall, AC has become a part of our lifestyle. It’s not just about cooling the air – it’s about elevating the entire experience of living and working.

But do you know AC can be harmful to our bone health? Constant chills can break the natural temperature balance of the body, leading to stiffness, joint pain, and even worsening conditions like arthritis over time.

Lack of Sunlight – A Modern Deficiency

Dr. Abhishek Vaish, Sr. orthopaedic surgeon and Sports ‘injury specialist’ from Indraprastha Apollo Hospital and Healing Touch Clinic explains how constant AC exposure silently contributes to Vitamin D deficiency and weaker bones in urban populations. He says, “The major source of vitamin D is sunlight, and in urban lifestyles dominated by indoor routines and AC usage, people are significantly deprived of natural sunlight. This lack of exposure impacts the body’s ability to synthesize vitamin D, a crucial element for calcium absorption and bone strength.”

Dr. Abhishek Vaish further says that in AC-heavy environments, people often avoid going outdoors during peak daylight hours due to the discomfort of stepping out from cooled spaces into the heat. This reduces their chances of incidental sun exposure, especially in office workers and apartment dwellers. Over time, vitamin D deficiency can lead to osteopenia, osteoporosis, and increased risk of fractures.

AC Lifestyles and Urban Living

Padmashri Dr. Mukesh Batra, Founder & Chairman Emeritus, Dr. Batra’s Healthcare also shows his concern over prolonged exposure to an air-conditioned environment. It is indirectly contributing to Vitamin D deficiency in urban populations. The key issue here is not just the air conditioning itself, but it’s also the lifestyle it fosters. Urban dwellers are spending increasing amounts of time indoors – in homes, offices and cars – all cooled by AC. This lessens the ultraviolet B (UVB) rays that the skin is exposed to, which are necessary for the body to produce Vitamin D.

A Silent Epidemic in the Making

Aahhhh……AC is a silent epidemic, especially in metropolitan cities where climate-controlled living is the norm. That’s true! Infact, a lot of younger patients are also coming in with early signs of bone weakening and one of the major reasons is a sedentary and indoor lifestyle. This calls for a conscious shift in our daily habits. It is important to get exposure of 20 minutes of early morning sunlight. Some light physical activity can also make a big difference. After all, comfort is important, but not at the cost of long-term health.

Women and Children at Greater Risk

Moving forward, it has also been noted that many women in cities spend a lot of time indoors, whether it’s because of work, taking care of family or social habits.

Dr. Absar Shaikh (BPTh, MPTh) gives his insights, “Women get less sunlight, which can lead to vitamin D deficiency. For women, especially after menopause, this can make their bones weaker and increase the risk of osteoporosis since vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium. Kids are also affected because they’re spending more time inside, often glued to screens in air-conditioned rooms. Since childhood is a crucial time for growing strong bones, not getting enough sunlight can lead to vitamin D deficiency and problems like rickets, where bones become soft and weak.”

Dr. Abhishek Vaish also points out, “Women, especially post-menopausal and pregnant ones, are already at a higher risk of bone loss due to hormonal changes. Without adequate vitamin D, their calcium metabolism is impaired, accelerating bone deterioration. Children also need vitamin D for proper bone development and growth. Urban children, however, spend large parts of their day inside schools, tuition centers, or at home in AC environments. 

Dr. Vaish warns, “We’re seeing more cases of rickets and delayed bone development in kids from well-to-do urban families. Ironically, it’s not due to malnutrition but due to a modern lifestyle that lacks sunshine.”

In women, the added pressure of household responsibilities, beauty concerns (avoiding tanning), and limited outdoor time often translates to dangerously low vitamin D levels. This deficiency increases the risk of fractures, fatigue, and musculoskeletal pain. Hence, this silent issue needs more awareness and proactive management.

Solutions for a Healthier Lifestyle

It has become a need of an hour that urban residents must adopt to protect their bones, while still staying comfortable in air-conditioned environments.

Dr. Batra emphasises, “It is crucial to schedule some daily time outdoors, even 15 to 30 minutes of sun exposure on the skin can make a significant difference. Secondly, incorporating Vitamin D-rich foods such as fortified cereals, dairy products, mushrooms, and oily fish into one’s diet can help maintain adequate levels. Additionally, regular weight-bearing exercises like walking, yoga, or light strength training can enhance bone density.”

Dr. Abhishek Vaish also recommends routine bone health checkups. “Bone density tests and regular monitoring of vitamin D levels can help catch deficiencies early and avoid long-term damage. Ultimately, it’s about building micro-habits that ensure both comfort in modern living and the fundamental need for sun-derived nutrients essential to skeletal health.”

Comfort vs. Wellness: Choose Bone Health Wisely

In today’s AC-dominated urban lifestyle, comfort often comes at the cost of bone health. Prolonged indoor living limits sunlight exposure. This leads to Vitamin D deficiency, weaker bones and related health issues. A balanced approach like – daily sun exposure, physical activity and Vitamin D rich foods are important. So, let’s not trade long-term wellness for short-term ease. Prioritise small habits today to build stronger and healthier bones for tomorrow.