There are enough indicators on the alarming health level of people especially in urban India. We have managed to move into a sedentary lifestyle with little or no exercise and not paying attention to healthy eating habits. This has led to rise in cases of diabetes and obesity among the young and old alike.
Causes of lifestyle diseases
Lifestyle diseases are those which are caused by leading a sedentary lifestyle and wrong living and eating habits. Examples of such diseases are type 2 diabetes, asthma, obesity, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, PCOD and depression to name a few.
Lifestyle diseases are hard to detect in early stages. They are expensive to treat and most of them are life threatening. As the years go by, more younger people are getting affected by these diseases. For example obesity is now hitting college going kids, especially boys.
After incorrect lifestyle and diet, substance abuse is the biggest cause of lifestyle diseases. Alcohol and tobacco addiction is common among people. But food abuse is the most dangerous because it does not carry any social taboo. We tend to overeat when we are sad or happy and there is no check on it. Stress factors caused due to work pressure, unemployment, social evils and home life contribute to aggravation of lifestyle diseases.
Visible health effects of lifestyle diseases
Weight gain is the earliest sign of disease. It brings about obesity and a number of associated conditions. A year of lockdown and online classes have left very little choice with children but to remain home. This has led to obesity in young boys and girls. Lack of peer interaction which was automatic at school or college has also gone. This has left them with the onset of more severe conditions like depression.
Remedial actions
- Start with moderate exercise like walking or cycling. At home you can begin with basic yoga or suryanamaskar which are easy to do and hugely beneficial.
- Reduce alcohol and tobacco intake to the bare minimum or if possible stop them altogether.
- Avoid processed food and switch to fresh home cooked food.
- If you are overweight do not go for any diet plan which involves starvation or reducing the food intake. That may cause long term damage to your organs.