81% Indians inactive: Study
MUMBAI:
Urban Indians are at higher risk of heart
disease than people in the US or Western Europe, thanks to high inactivity,
finds a study. The Indian Heart Watch study covered major cities such as Delhi,
Mumbai as well as mid-sized towns like Agra
and Rohtak.
Cities had widespread physical inactivity. Even smaller towns had a higher incidence of smoking and low intake of fruits and vegetables. The research team comprising Jaipur-based cardiologist Rajeev Gupta, said improper urban social development worsened cardiac risk factors in Indians. Around 79% of men and 83% women (who participated in the study) were physically inactive, while 51% men and 48% women had high-fat diets.
Cities had widespread physical inactivity. Even smaller towns had a higher incidence of smoking and low intake of fruits and vegetables. The research team comprising Jaipur-based cardiologist Rajeev Gupta, said improper urban social development worsened cardiac risk factors in Indians. Around 79% of men and 83% women (who participated in the study) were physically inactive, while 51% men and 48% women had high-fat diets.
"About 60% men and 57% women were found to have a low intake of fruit and vegetables, while 12% men and 0.5% women smoke,'' the study said. Around 41% of men and 45% women were overweight. High blood pressure was reported in 33% men and 30% women, high cholesterol in a quarter of all men and women. Diabetes was reported in 34% men and 37% women.
One of the study's authors, Prakash Deedwania from the University of California, said in Dubai that India was the world's coronary and diabetes capital. His co-author, Dr Gupta said, "Improving urban planning and living conditions is critical to curb the cardio-vascular epidemic."
JJ Hospital's head of cardiology, Dr N O Bansal, said while urban Indians were guilty of low activity, fat content in desi food is not high.
Source:
www.timesofindia.com
21.04.2012
Run a lap, spread the
word on cancer in Mumbai
“Cancer
doesn’t sleep. So, for one night, neither will we.” It is with this sentiment
that 150-odd students, teachers, activists and celebrities in the city will
participate in an overnight relay walkathon this Friday. The group will camp at
the École Mondiale World School in Juhu at 8pm and will take turns walking or
jogging around the track till 8am the next day.
Called
the ‘Relay For Life’, this initiative is a worldwide movement for cancer
awareness and fundraising efforts. More than 20 countries, including the US,
the UK and Australia, have been participating in the event for the last 10
years now.
“It is
for the first time that the Relay for Life is being held in India,” says
17-year-old Neerav Dharia, who studies at the school and is also one of the organisers
of the event.
The
event will begin on Friday evening with the ‘Survivors’ Lap’, which will
celebrate the spirit of cancer survivors who will walk around the track
together in a symbolic gesture. At the ‘Luminaria Ceremony’, candles will be
lit in honour or in memory of those who have either survived or succumbed to
cancer. On Saturday morning, the ‘Fight Back Ceremony’ will encourage
participants to make a commitment to saving lives by taking up the fight
against the disease.
“The
Relay for Life is the largest movement in the world that seeks to bring
together activists, doctors, victims, survivors and the general public to not
just create awareness about the disease, but to also raise funds for treatment
and research,” says oncologist Dr Purna Kurkure, who is associated with the
Indian Cancer Society and has founded Ugam, a support group for cancer
survivors.
Source:
www.dnaindia.com
21.04.2012
To wish to
progress is the largest part of progress
Lucius
Annaeus Seneca
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