No longer can it be said that non-communicable diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and risk factors like hypertension, high cholesterol, and obesity are seen only among the urban rich in India. In the past, several localised studies undertaken in rural areas found evidence of an epidemiological transition from communicable to non-communicable diseases. A large-scale study published online recently in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) (“Sociodemographic patterning of non-communicable disease risk factors in rural India: a cross-sectional study,” by Sanjay Kinra et al.) has confirmed this trend. The study involved nearly 2,000 people drawn from 1,600 villages across 18 States. The key finding is that India faces a double whammy. While those belonging to the lower socioeconomic group are underweight, those from the higher strata are obese, diabetic, and have high levels of total cholesterol, bad cholesterol (LDL) or triglycerides, as well as low levels of good cholesterol (HDL). South Indians tend to be obese more than north Indians. One reason for this may be that people in the four southern States show a marked preference for polished rice. Cardiovascular disease and diabetes are currently the most prevalent lifestyle diseases. Considering that the number of people chewing tobacco or smoking bidis is increasing, the incidence of certain cancers linked to these habits is likely to rise in the conceivable future.
The effects of globalisation and urbanisation may be some of the reasons for the increasing numbers of rural folk with non-infectious diseases. Sedentary lifestyles combined with increased intake of calorie-rich food are at the root of many lifestyle diseases. The challenges posed by non-communicable diseases are very different from those by communicable and infectious diseases. Diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and risk factors like hypertension and high cholesterol require prolonged care, unlike the transmittable diseases. The requirements of diagnosis and treatment are also very different. The healthcare system obtaining in rural areas is not equipped to handle these challenges. Making people more aware of lifestyle changes and running educative campaigns against junk food and in favour of healthy food, especially among children and youth, should go some way in stemming the tide. A recent report in The New England Journal of Medicine spotlights the magnitude of the challenge India faces: going by the present trends, it will lose $237 billion over the next decade owing to non-communicable diseases.
Keywords: lifestyle diseases
Comments:
Changing life styles and food habits will certainly have its effect on the type of ailments that will afflict us. It is revealing for instance to note that life style diseases such as hypertension and obesity which have been considered so far as ailments of the rich strata of the population are now spreading to the poorer sections too. Such studies every 10 years should be conducted India-specific to enable us to have reliable data to tailor our health and food policies. There is ,however, mention of the diseases such as diarrohea,malaria and tuberculosis which take a large toll of our population every year. Even among the medical community there is stated to be a positive preference to specialize in the modern society’s ailments ignoring the traditional ones like diarrhea, malaria and tuberculosis. These are not positive developments in the medical profession. Equally worse is the problem of malnutrition among the children. It was shocking to find a former minister advocating the recourse to biscuits, etc. (a type of junk food) in place of hot cooked meals with cereals. Thus health policy of the nation needs to be reviewed periodically to ensure that it is catering to the situation in the modern society.
I agreed fact that lifestyle plays key role in health of a person. In India people are not aware of their diet -- what they need to take, what is there requirements. So if we know about that we have to educate people round us to make a healthy India, to make a healthy world...
A well-written caveat for those following an unhealthy lifestyle and at the same time underpinning the value of healthy food habits.
The people from urban cities are still aware of the prevelant health problems but due to the lifestyle that they have to lead with sitting jobs throughout the day makes it difficult for them to take care. In rural areas there is still a need to create awareness and campaigns for the same is a very good idea.
Rather than framing the problem in elaborate manner, we should create awareness via Newspaper and show the dark side of this western lifestyle especially to the people of higher strata. Better we should look for problem solving approach to tackle this, as well to bridge the gap between urban and rural lifestyle.
It is difficult to control this sedentary lifestyle with booming economy and social pressure. If someone tries to be healthy and ride bicycle is looked upon as a stingy person. Person walking to work is looked upon as poor chap. Unless feelings of this kind are removed from social strata, it will be difficult to move towards healthy lifestyle. People looking at others will follow the style convenient to every one.