“It’s time to make healthy changes in one’s life.”
Thought I would write down on Lifestyle Diseases since I have been reading about it in the newspapers so often.
If you are among those who think fat kids are cute and aren’t really averse to a little giggle at their size then this story is for you. It’s also for those who have made chocolates, high calorie snacks like pizzas, burgers, chips and aerated drinks a regular part of their diet and have left fruits and vegetables out of their meals.
I’m sure that at some time or the other we are reeled under the stress of too much to do or shortage of time to do. And, usually, the first casualty is our meal time. We grab whatever junk food we can find or fast forward and miss meals. It’s a crazy way to live. To relax and enjoy even the most basic of home cooked meals is an incomparable delight. I am a great believer in natural and slow home cooked food. With some common sense and imagination, one can make wholesome and appetizing food.
Did You Know?
Recently released figures from International Diabetes Federation has reported that over 70,000 children develop Type 1 diabetes every year and some 440,000 children world wide.
Obesity is the most important factor to develop Type 2 diabetes in children.
Obesity is linked to behavior, dietary habits and physical activity.
Obese people develop complex problems such as discrimination at work place, school and home. Moreover, health risks like high blood pressure, diabetics, high cholesterol, arthritis, kidney failure, stroke, heart attack are closely associated with obesity and lead to further complications.
What can be done?
Working mothers have a bigger challenge, to ensure that their children do not go hungry and eat something and also due to lack of time, they end up giving quick snacks which add no nutritional value. It is important to increase the fruit and vegetable intake; substitute water or fresh juices for sweetened beverages and low calorie snacks for high calorie ones; increase physical activity and cut down the time spent before the computer and television. Parents and school authorities should encourage children to take part in sports and games either in school or through various clubs. It is preventable by proper lifestyle modifications. Food stuffs rich in saturated fat like butter, ghee, coconut oil should be restricted. Protein from vegetable sources, low fat milk and milk products, fish and lean meat are preferable. Thus only a few food items are absolutely forbidden.
Reduces blood sugar, blood pressure, triglycerides, weight and body fat, tones up muscles, strengthens heart and blood circulation.
A simple calculation called Body Mass Index or BMI is used to classify people as underweight, normal, overweight, and obese. It is calculated by dividing weight in kg by height in meters squared.
Healthy: 18.5 to 24.9 kg per meter squared.
Overweight: more than 25
Obese: 30 to 39.9
Severely obese: more than 40
Additionally drugs like stimulants, appetite suppressants, antidepressants and medication to reduce fat absorption are prescribed. The disadvantage of this method is that most patients regain much of their lost weight and the average amount of weight loss is relatively small. Persons with a BMI of 40 or greater who can’t shed their weight through regular exercise and diet opt for Bariatric surgery.
It is necessary to prevent further increase in the number of children with obesity, which in turn can reduce the chances of them developing diabetics and other associated disorders like heart diseases.
The challenge is to marry the traditional healthy Indian lifestyle with the modern age generation. I hope the survey findings would prompt people to opt for healthy eating habits.
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