Over 70 percent Middle-aged Delhiites are Obese

Over 70 percent of the middle-aged people in Delhi were found to be either overweight or morbidly obese or super obese. This can put them at risk for developing heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, reveals a city-based survey.

The findings showed that more than 50 percent of these indulge in binge eating or midnight snacking with women indulging more in binge eating (33 percent) than men (29 percent).

‘Lack of proper sleep, increased alcohol and smoke consumption, stress, binge eating and midnight snacking are the reasons for increasing obesity in Delhi.’

With the fast-paced lives in the city, stress rates have also increased at an alarming rate.

Over 30 percent suffer from hypertension and 24 percent have diabetes, while 21.6 percent are already facing cardiac issues.

"If our people do not get enough sleep, are stressed all the time and are indulging in binge eating and frequently smoking, we need to relook at overall health management," K. K. Talwar, Chairman - Cardiology, Max Healthcare, said in a statement.

With a demanding professional and social life, intrusion of social media and technology, irregular daily routines, 44 percent women and 57 percent men experience frequently interrupted sleep patterns.

Over 26 percent experience outright insomnia or erratic sleep.

"Lack of proper sleep coupled with increased alcohol and smoke consumption also affects the digestive system and blood pressure thereby increasing the risk factors for heart disease," Talwar said.

It was found that 73 percent people consume alcohol with 14 percent drinking more than 14 small pegs in a week.

Also, 44 percent women and 32 percent men smoke on a daily basis, while 35 percent of 21-30 year olds and 25 percent of 31-40 year olds finish a packet of cigarettes in a day.

"Women for the longest were thought to be protected from heart risk while in their reproductive years but numbers indicate that they aren't eating right, not working out and even indulging in higher levels of smoking and alcohol consumption," said Rajiv Aggarwal, Senior Director and Unit Head, Cardiology.

"All these habits erode their natural cover from heart risk and make them equally vulnerable to coronary ailments. Healthy lifestyle is, therefore, recommended for all ages and for both men and women," he added.

The survey is based on approximately 1,000 Delhiites across age groups between 20 and 60 years.



Source: IANS